Istanbul, July 25 (QNA) - The 8th Turkish–Arab Art Forum kicked off in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Saturday under the theme: "Colors of Twin Tales".

Organized by the Turkish Arab Association, in collaboration with the Turkish Arab Art House, the two-day event convenes a contingent of Turkish and Arab artists, with the inaugural speeches focusing on the Turkish-Arab role in building Islamic civilization.

The speeches stressed that cultural and artistic initiatives always help foster dialogue and people-to-people connections. The forum showcased sundry fine artworks and visual masterpieces.

The showcases featured oil paintings, Arabic calligraphy, sculpture, ceramic arts, mosaics, traditional gilding techniques, and handicrafts, alongside the artwork "Curtain for the Door of the Ka’bah" by Turkish artist Zeynep Seyhun, a specialist in the art of gilding.

The forum is purposefully staged to deepen cultural ties and a shared creative identity between Turkiye and the Arab world, through an agenda that features interviews with artists, as well as panel discussions, evening cultural shows, and music.

In his opening remarks, Metin Turan, president of the Association, said this forum works to bring together a combination of culture, art, and friendship components under one platform.

He added that art is a global bridge that transcends disparities in language, religion, and nationality, emphasizing that the association strives to entrench this bridge between Turkiye and the Arab world. (QNA)