"From searching for an old picture of my father, to searching for old pictures of Yemen, and documenting the historical memory of Yemen in more than 25,000 thousand pictures." With these words, Fahd Al-Dhurafi began his talk to "Khuyut". He is a documenter and researcher of old pictures, and one of the speakers on TEDx which was held earlier this week in the city of Taiz (southwest of Yemen).
Al-Dhurafi talks about his participation in TEDx Taiz this year, by presenting an exhibition of old photographs of more than 250 old photos of Taiz Governorate, which were published in six eras from the 1940s to the 1990s.
The activities and events of "TEDx Taiz" will continue for a week, beginning with the holding of an art conference attended by hundreds and organizing an exhibition of drawings and pictures of the event, which will be displayed in panels for visitors in the Belqis Hall in the Taiz Tourist Club (downtown).
Al-Dhurafi went on his speech by pointing out that, during this TEDx event, he presented his ideas and flashed his beginnings, his hobby of collecting old photos, and the stories he lived through while searching for these photographs in the past years. He believed that the TEDx event is of great importance and a platform for sharing the experiences and innovations of successful youth in various fields.
TEDx Taiz 2023
Taiz governorate distinguished this year with a creative artistic event, of TEDx which was a remarkable version. It included many inspiring stories, interesting details, and voluntary organization, so that Taiz painted a creative canvas by presenting some of the worthiest achievements of inspiring and influential young personalities from within the governorate of Taiz. Under the hashtag #From_Inside and through an artistic conference that conveys the image of the city, which has been exhausted by war and its dramatic consequences for more than eight years.
The event was unique in view of the efforts made by the "TEDx Taiz" team during a year of volunteer efforts, which demonstrated the beauty of the besieged city via holding an international conference with youth efforts that were reflected in the form of inspiring experiences of influential and motivating people.
In the midst of the siege that the city of Taiz is going through, and regardless of the incidents that are trying to distort it, such as the recent assassination of the representative of the World Food Organization in Al Turbah, TEDx event comes to prove to the world that Taiz is not that ugly image that the enemies of life and peace tried to promote.
Every story and experience shared is considered as a learnt lesson of struggle and perseverance, from which the people of Taiz will learn, and make those present feel the magnitude of suffering, fight and persistence that inspires hope in the hearts of everyone, not at the level of Taiz governorate, but in the whole Yemen in general.
In the context, photojournalist Ahmed Al-Basha, one of the TEDx attendees, told Khuyut that: "The event brought us together in a hall full of spirit, enthusiasm and inspiration. It was an unforgettable day as we listened to the creative and influential speakers, and witnessed the professional and distinguished event organization that took account of the smallest details."
From inside
"It was a wonderful idea with a meaningful title, that the change should come from within in its two dimensions; the first one is the self-motivation from inside the person, and the second from within the city itself. "The change lies in the competences of youth, inspirations and influencers," said social and media activist, Sam Al-Buhairi.
Al-Buhairi told "Khuyut" that: " In the midst of the siege that the city of Taiz is going through, and regardless of the incidents that are trying to distort it, such as the recent assassination of the representative of the World Food Organization in Al Turbah, TEDx event comes to prove to the world that Taiz is not that ugly image that the enemies of life and peace tried to promote".
He pointed out that Taiz has proven, through the TEDx festival, its capability to change and paint life in creative colors, as this event was like an opening to the world.
Immortal memory
This year version of "Tedx Taiz" was not an ordinary event, it demonstrated the sound of a besieged city trying hard to stand and survive, the sound of a city that put itself on the world map with a global event which comes nearly 9 years after the first edition was held at the level of Yemen. Interestingly, TEDx dealt with several aspects, ideas and experiences of different groups.
Photographer Hana Al-Rashed, owner of the "Takah" Studio project, a studio specialized in photographing newborns and children in the city of Taiz, and one of the speakers, believes that TEDx for her: "It is not only about talking, but about presenting an extraction of efforts and suffering, as well as a pre-event exceptional preparations in order to reach an inspiring and influential talk that may change and motivate someone's life."
Hana added, during her interview with "Khuyut", that she shed light on children, and how her field of work in photographing children made her not just take a photograph as much as she tries to perpetuate a happy memory of them.
Selection and list of speakers
The experiences of the speakers found a wide echo among the attendees at the city level in general, with their ideas and knowledge emphasizing the importance of determination and perseverance in overcoming challenges, and succeeding in achieving the goals.
The organizers of this event confirm that the selection of the talkers was carried out according to two mechanisms; The first is through filling the form that was announced for sharing outstanding ideas and owners of inspiring stories, and the second method was to select some well-known characters in the community who have achieved international successes, and interview them before they are officially selected.
It is worth noting that the number of speakers reached 11 male and female speakers, of whom 8 physically attended the conference, and 3 virtual speakers (online), due to being out of the city. The following are the speaking personalities:
