Arabic calligraphy...august art coalescing past tradition, present pliability

Photo feature by Malek Raddad ALGIERS, May 15 (KUNA) -- Arabic calligraphy is an incredible form of artistic expression in both Islamic and Arabic cultures, combining beauty in form and meaning with letters and becoming over ages an august art that mimics poetry, catches eyes and proves its ability to renew itself but retains its authenticity.
Arabic calligraphy has actually become a vibrant painting that reflects the antiquity of the past and the flexibility of the present, while keeping its well-established position of adorning mosques, embellishing manuscripts and beautifying squares and museums.
Contemporary artists and calligraphers, who were present at a recent Arabic calligraphy festival in Algiers, underlined tradition but used calligraphy as a vibrant, creative tool through more than 100 paintings. (end) mr.mt