Esraa Adel Fattah, Director of Communications and Partnerships (SATA)
By Esraa Adel Fattah, Director of Communications and Partnerships (SATA)
On 29 January 2026, under a radiant full moon in Riyadh, translators gathered for the third edition of Liwan Al-Tarjama, a cultural evening organised by the Saudi Arabian Translation Association (SATA). With the theme ‘Six Years of Meaning’, the Liwan celebrated the Association’s sixth anniversary. In Arabic, Liwan denotes an open courtyard where loved ones gather, while Tarjama means translation – symbolising a night that unites translators as a close-knit community.
Chairman Dr Waleed Al-Subhi opened the event, briefly highlighting the Association’s key projects and programmes, and reaffirming its commitment to advancing the profession and supporting its community.
This was followed by a musical translation tableau featuring oud, violin and organ. The Association’s young members – Reem Al-Dossari, Leen Al-Suwaian, Abdulilah Al-Anazi and Dana Al-Battah – captivated the audience with a multilingual performance in Arabic, English, French and Chinese, reciting:
Meaning is created… Meaning is translated.
Translation transcends words and descends into their depths, where meaning stirs.
Through translation, meaning travels from one language to another.
We carry it into a different culture, granting meaning a new fate.
The truthful, cultured and creative translator recognises meaning and rebuilds it.
Translation reminds us that while languages vary and meanings are many, one constant remains: humanity.
For there is always a meaning that is translated – and another that is built.
Dr Abdulaziz Al-Subail, President of the King Abdulaziz Centre for Cultural Communication in Riyadh, discussed the translator’s evolving role in a globalised world, emphasising responsibility, cultural insight, and the care needed to carry another’s voice.
Internationally renowned Saudi chef Jameel Hareedi presented The Taste of Liwan, with each dish blending heritage with innovation, echoing translation’s balance of fidelity and creativity.
Liwan Talks celebrated the journeys of members who had transformed challenges into milestones. Dr Amirah Al-Jasser, Yasser Al-Hayez and Nahed Al-Ratrout shared candid stories of perseverance and professional growth, affirming that behind every successful translator lies resilience, mentorship, and belief in the power of words.
The Association also presented an inspiring video of its achievements, followed by a workshop in which CEO Abdulrahman Alsayed reflected on the Association’s beginnings and outlined plans. A behind-the-scenes video offered a glimpse into the executive team’s dedication, humour and shared purpose. The event received media coverage from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Al-Thaqafiya, highlighting its cultural significance.
Guests also enjoyed a selection of traditional dishes, a live portrait sketching station, a pottery-making corner, and the Liwan Memory booth, where attendees received instant photographs with the event’s brand identity. In a dedicated corner, guests experienced and sampled the international chef’s signature creations, making the Liwan a fully immersive cultural celebration.
The Liwan concluded with a heartfelt ceremony honouring contributors to the Association’s success. Translators enjoyed a banquet, sharing conversation and laughter, feeling the warmth of community and shared pride in their craft. Under Riyadh’s full moon, Liwan Al-Tarjama became not just an event, but a living celebration of language, culture and connection.