The first Souq Ukaz, an annual international cultural "market" offering an array of Arab cultural and artistic functions will open in Jordan for six weeks starting September 9, according to Jordan Times.
Ukaz symbolizes the reinvention of the traditional Arab concept of the souq, or market, in a contemporary context.
In the pre-Islamic era in Arabia, poets used to meet at the Ukaz market to recite their poems.
The Jordanian modern version of the event, organized by the Jordanian Middle East Center for Culture and Development (MECCAD), will focus on the performing and visual arts, crafts, fashion, design, film and television, said the paper.
Activities will consist of contemporary music and dance performances, art exhibitions, expositions of cultural goods by local and international cultural enterprises, fashion shows, buyers/sellers meetings, public debates and technical workshops -- Albawaba.com
