Rania Abdullah

Yemen - Yemen’s civilization is among the oldest in history, extending back thousands of years. It was home to great kingdoms such as Sheba, Ma’in, Hadhramaut, and Himyar, and served as a major trade hub thanks to its strategic location and its trade in incense and frankincense. Yemenis were also pioneers in agriculture — especially in building great dams such as the Marib Dam — and in developing sculpture and architecture since ancient times.

 

Art as a Means of Preservation

Despite its ancient heritage and unique tourist sites, a decade of conflict has rendered Yemen nearly forgotten on the world map. Yet, the efforts of some young people and women to present the bright face of Yemen - away from political conflict - are now reaching the world, introducing its ancient civilization and heritage.

Shadia Mohammed Hammoud is one of the women striving to highlight Yemen’s history from abroad. Through her artistic and literary work, she has become a cultural ambassador for Yemen in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Having shown a passion for drawing since childhood, she returned to Yemen as an adult and mother to dedicate her artistic talent to showcasing her homeland’s civilization.

Through her fine art, Shadia focuses on Yemen’s ancient heritage, long absent from the public eye during years of war. “Fine art,” she says, “is a means of preserving and documenting historical monuments. An artist who paints their country’s history and heritage provides the world with a vivid, miniature image of those landmarks in a professional and appealing way. Art is a powerful tool to protect cultural heritage for future generations.”

Speaking with sorrow about her country, she adds, “During the war, many historical sites and museums were destroyed, and looters took advantage of the chaos to smuggle and sell valuable antiquities in global auctions outside Yemen.”

Regarding the role of the media, she remarks, “The media has played a huge role in portraying Yemen merely as a land of war, hunger, and destruction - completely ignoring its history and civilization. This has contributed to erasing the Yemeni identity.”

 

The Land of the Two Paradises

In her novel “Return to the Land of the Two Paradises,” which tells the story of a girl from the land of ancient civilization, Shadia skillfully blends fantasy and suspense to attract foreign readers. “I incorporated fantasy as a central element to give the story academic depth and artistic beauty,” she says. “This approach made the novel more engaging, and readers told me they felt as if they were watching a movie rather than reading a book.”

 

Tremendous Efforts by Women

On the role of Yemeni women in promoting a positive image of their country, Shadia affirms that “Yemeni women have always been a driving force in highlighting Yemen’s civilization - whether through cuisine, poetry, writing, or the arts in general.” She adds, “Despite the hardships of war, poverty, and hunger, Yemeni women remain determined to make their mark on the world.”

Like many ambitious Yemeni women, Shadia aims to build an international women’s art network, connecting creatives in Britain and beyond to promote Yemen’s cultural and humanitarian identity - a dream shared by many women working toward peace in a country torn by conflict.

 

Yemen - the Land of Civilizations

Visitors to the exhibition “Dust of the Golden Kingdom of Sheba” expressed their admiration for what they saw and learned. One attendee, Amal Al-Ashiq, said, “The exhibition was simply amazing. Yemen is known as a land of civilizations, but through this event, I discovered so much more in a creative and accessible way. Each painting told a story about Yemen and its history. The exhibition truly helped introduce people to its ancient culture.”

Speaking about the role of Yemeni women in promoting their country’s positive image, she added, “Many Yemeni women strive to show Yemen in the best possible light. I’ve seen this through my interactions with Yemeni women in Britain and other countries. Despite war and hardship, they continue to share a bright and inspiring image of their homeland.”

In conclusion, Amal Al-Ashiq said, “Yemeni women - indeed, women everywhere - represent their countries with grace and strength. They carry the voice, history, and heritage of their homelands to the world.”