The idea started as a weekly lecture held every Thursday morning in the office under the name of “Knowledge Exchange Forum .” KEF has attracted youth and creative people from different places, because of its unique outcome. Basement activities expanded to include music, art performances and plastic arts. Eventually ,the architectural engineering Office decided to withdraw and allow the forum, which young people needed as a unique and distinctive experience.
Basement has become more than an idea, and it needed to be taken seriously to start organizing its own programs and to take a particular form that goes beyond the familiar, out of formal institutions, and has a distinctive impact on the society and in the lives of ambitious young people who are looking for a platform for free expression.
Basement has been designed with a distinctive underground building. This design was done by the creative architect Saba Al-Suleihi, the founder of Basement, and that was the beginning of Basement Cultural Foundation. Also, This name takes from its original meaning, as it means the basis of which the foundation of talent, energies and abilities are built on and extend high.
The co-founders , the architect Saba Al-Suleihi, YaseenGhalib and Dr.Yahia Al-Obali decided to put the first stone of Basement project. They have given Basement its name , and started to organize the events and invite all the artists and active people in the cultural field to perform on its stage. They also created a chance for the public audience to attend these events. The first event was on 26th of April in 2009.
Basement now is considered as one of most important cultural foundations in Yemen. As its activities are started form 2009 till this moment.
Basement’s activities are not restricted on KEF events only, it also includes many of activities and projects and some of programs that are being founded by some international organizations.