SYRIAN architects are to bring an Arabic colonnade to this year’s Brighton Festival.

Marwa Al-Sabouni and Ghassan Jansiz are to build a temporary community arts venue on Hove seafront in the form of a traditional Arabic arcade.

The Riwaq - the Arabic word for colonnade - will be a semi-open space based at Hove Lawns.

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

The Argus: An artists impression of the Riwaq An artists impression of the Riwaq

“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,” Marwa Al-Sabouni  said.

“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 will take place at the Riwaq for the duration of the festival – from May 7 to 29.

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.

The Riwaq is made possible with the support of sponsor Moda Living, alongside the Timber Trade Federation and setWorks.

Lydia Whitaker, director of marketing and wellbeing at Moda Living, said: “The Riwaq project is an inspirational work based on the importance of bringing communities together, and the value of interaction and experience to wellbeing.

“This is at the heart of what we do at Moda, where we’re dedicated to building sustainable neighbourhoods that have a positive impact and promote collaboration between communities. We’re proud to be a part of the Brighton Festival and look forward to celebrating arts and humanity with people from all over the world.”