CultureHack 2024

A cultural project bridging the gap between tradition and modernity, introducing young Arab diaspora individuals in London to the valuable tradition of Arabic calligraphy through workshops and digital experiences.

Project Repository: GitHub

Team Contributors

• Mehdi Belhadj
• Oguzhan Cagirir
• Dmytro Syzonenko
• Conor Brennan
• Youmna Al-Jazy

Key Features

• In-person Workshops: Three main workshops covering history of calligraphy, traditional Arabic writing, and Calligraphy+Graffiti with "Calligraphiti" concepts
• Digital Expansion: Educational masterclasses and online seminars for worldwide accessibility
• Community Building: Platform for connecting individuals with similar cultural interests
• Calligraphy Kits: Personalized tools including qalam and ink for workshops and online purchase

Technical Implementation

Developed a full-stack system for the CMCI department in under 5 hours featuring:

• PostgreSQL database hosted on AWS
• Backend powered by Python, Flask, and PyTorch
• Clean UI styled with CSS
• Integration of NeuralFusionII for real-time course summaries

Benefits & Social Impact

• Cultural Heritage Preservation: Helping young Arabs reconnect with their heritage creatively
• Identity Strengthening: Providing Arabs living abroad with a stronger sense of cultural connection
• Community Creation: Promoting communication across generations within the diaspora
• Creative Innovation: Demonstrating how traditional cultural heritage can adapt in the digital age