Day: August 21, 2023

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah started his visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with a meeting with Pakistani President Dr. Arif Alvi.

Al-Rabeeah reviewed during the meeting The efforts made by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, to serve the pilgrims coming from Pakistan.

Source: International Islamic News Agency

Anava Seed Fund, managed by Flat6Labs Tunisie, has announced it is investing over $7 million in startups.

The startup made the announcement in a report estimating its year-end balance at around $9.28 million USD by the end of 2022.

The fund had investments in various companies totaling around 7.53 million USD.

Source: Africa News Agency

The 10th edition of the Biennale de Danse of Seychelles was officially launched on Monday with the participation of international dancers.

The group of dancers and choreographers from Rodrigues, Democratic Republic of Congo and Russia, received their bags in a short ceremony at the National Theatre.

Also present is a choreographer from South Africa, Refiloe Mogoje.

Mogoje comes from Orlando East Township in Soweto and has the knowledge and experience in ballet, contemporary, African, Indian, Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga, Pantsula, Tap, Gumboot and Flamenco dances.

"It is a very important month back home, as it is women's month, so when I was told about the Biennale and the theme itself, that is aqua, I thought to myself that it's a great one," said Mogoje.

The choreographer told reporters that "as human beings, we are made up mostly of water and we are surrounded by water, it is of importance."

At the culmination of the 10-day workshop, Mogoje will then work with the choreographers and dancers from the countries who will part to choreograph a 15-minute piece.

"I am really excited about the process. The work is untitled as of yet, as I have a vision of what I want to put down and present," she added.

However, since this is her first time working with this group of performers, "I do not know how it is going to turn out."

She did promise that the "bar needed to be raised and as there are different cultures will be very interesting."

The Biennale is being organised by the School of Dance, which falls under the National Arts and Craft Council (NACC).

The Biennale de Danse in Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, which was last organised in 2017, is a workshop and dance festival organised every two years. Its aim is to share dance expertise, dance techniques, and cultural exchanges among the participants.

Seychelles as host of the Biennale, has two teams of dancers of which Ruth Barbe and Dennis Rose will be leading respectively.

Over 20 dancers will come together to take part in 10 days of workshops, which will culminate in a Gala Night on September 2. During the Gala, each group will perform a 10-minute dance around the theme. They will then come together under the guidance of the Mogoje to perform a 15-minute piece.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

Border crossings in Jendouba, especially Melloula in Tabarka, have recorded a significant rise in the number of Algerian tourists since early August. The number of Algerian visitors who crossed the three border posts (Melloula, Babouch and Jelil) exceeded 100,000, including 82,000 through the Melloula border crossing, 17,000 through Babouch and 4,000 through Jelil in Ghardimaou, said Tourism Commissioner in Tabarka Issa Marouni. . The three border crossings also reported 584,000 international tourist arrivals during this period compared to 505,000 during the whole year of 2022, he added. The overll number of visitors to Tabarka-Ain Drahem resort area grew 22% in the period from August 1 to 10 compared to the same period in the reference year of 2019 (+16,000). From early January 1 to August 10, the number of tourists visiting Jendouba edged up 62% to 181,000 compared to 148,000 in the same period in 2022.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Prime Ministry issued a circular on August 12, 2023, which provides for the enforcement of the provisions of organic law 2017-58 of August 11, 2017, on the elimination of violence against women. This document highlights the efforts made to update plans and strategies in place by adopting a participatory approach and convening assessment meetings. The Prime Ministry called for divising a joint ministerial strategy to improve the enforcement of the provisions of Law 2017-58 of August 11, 2017, so as to eradicate various forms of violence against women and address its social, economic and health-related impact. The government will provide continuous human resources training in reception, guidance, and supervision. An expert will be appointed in each ministry to coordinate with the Ministry of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly. The Ministry of Women, Family, Children, and the Elderly will set up a national coordination committee representing the various ministries to follow up and appraise the situation, present recommendations and put forward procedures to halt violence against women.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse