A NEW 30-metre Arabic structure has officially opened on the seafront.

The temporary community arts venue on Hove seafront is part of this year’s Brighton Festival.

Created by Marwa Al-Sabouni and Ghassan Jansiz, The Riwaq - the Arabic word for colonnade - is a semi-open space based at Hove Lawns.

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The bespoke horseshoe-shaped structure, a staple of Islamic architecture, spans almost 30 metres in diameter and serves as a transitional creative threshold between the surrounding city and the outdoors.

The Argus: A new 30-metre Arabic structure has opened on Hove seafront A new 30-metre Arabic structure has opened on Hove seafront

Marwa Al-Sabouni said: “The Riwaq is often figuratively used in Arabic traditions as a referential space for culture and knowledge: the Riwaq of poetry, the Riwaq of culture, and so on.

“At Brighton Festival, The Riwaq is going to represent this transitional space of exchange. It will not only embrace the wonderful performances and events which will take place on its stage, but also host a wide array of great and exciting activities under its roof.

“The Riwaq will be buzzing, filled with visitors contributing and transforming it into a beautiful meeting spot on the charming seafront of Hove.”

A series of free cultural and community events have begun to take place at the Riwaq and will run for the duration of the festival – from May 7 to 29.

The Argus: The temporary community arts venue on Hove seafront is part of this year’s Brighton Festival The temporary community arts venue on Hove seafront is part of this year’s Brighton Festival

Local organisations and artists staging artistic takeovers include Best Foot Music and In-House Records, whose work celebrates international musicians and the power of creative rehabilitation, learning-disabled arts company Carousel and Little Green Pig, showcasing young and underrepresented writers in Brighton and Hove.

A wider programme of craft, wellbeing and family events, plus live music and dance performances will take place from Wednesdays to Sundays - from Iranian storytelling to screen printing workshops to Bhangra dance sessions.