Visitors drawn to heritage pavilions at Hail festival
Visitors and tourists alike were drawn to pavilions showcasing cultural heritage and the artistry of ancestors who integrated the crafts into daily life.
Wicker (Al-Khoos) crafting uses palm fronds to make bags, mats, brooms and more by weaving dry, cleaned and dried fronds.
The fronds are bundled, soaked until soft, then sewn together, with limbs trimmed and thorns removed, ready for painting and tool-making.
Wicker products are sold in shops and traditional markets across the region, and many Hail residents still use them today, the SPA added.
Meanwhile, several Sadu weavers stood out, showcasing authentic artworks and helping revive the hand-sewn craft after years of decline. The skilled artisans have spent years mastering and producing intricate pieces.
Sadu weaving uses natural materials like camel hair, goat and sheep wool, crafted with tools such as a spindle, needle and wooden pegs, according to the SPA.
In some cases, sadu weaving is combined with wickerwork, producing distinctive pieces that blend traditional techniques.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
How Saudi Arabia's self-driving push is transforming transport, fueling Vision 2030's smart mobility goals
RIYADH: From self-driving cars to autonomous delivery robots, Saudi Arabia is accelerating toward the next generation of AI-driven transport. The year 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark period for autonomous mobility in the Kingdom, as the country builds partnerships and infrastructure for a cutting-edge logistics ecosystem. This drive toward self-driving technology is central to the broader transformation under Vision 2030 — reshaping how goods and people move across Riyadh and beyond. The shift aligns with the Transport General Authority's land transport strategy, which aims for 25 percent of goods vehicles to be autonomous by 2030. In July 2025, Transport and Logistic Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser launched a pilot of WeRide's Robotaxi in Riyadh — a milestone for developing a smart, safe transportation network. 'The expansion into Saudi Arabia is a major step in WeRide's global expansion plan with a vision for safer, smarter transportation at scale,' Ryan Zhan, regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa at WeRide, told Arab News. 'The entry enables WeRide to scale Robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia,' he said. Robotaxi received the Kingdom's first autonomous driving permit. With 104 million public transport users and 349 million intercity bus passengers annually, demand for mobility solutions is high. Ride-hailing trips rose 26 percent and delivery app orders 27 percent from 2023 to 2024, topping 290 million. WeRide's Robotaxis and Robobuses are the latest additions to this evolving sector. The pilot, run with Uber and local partner AiDriver, operates between King Khalid International Airport and central Riyadh. 'The Initial Operational Phase of Autonomous Vehicles initiative aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy and supports Saudi Vision 2030 in embracing sustainable mobility solutions powered by artificial intelligence,' said Zhan. 'Saudi Arabia is the Middle East's largest economy and has been accelerating efforts under Vision 2030 to diversify into high-growth sectors. 'With its tourism sector alone projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent from 2024, WeRide's Robotaxis and Robobuses support the Kingdom's push to develop a smart, sustainable transport infrastructure for both residents and the rising influx of visitors.' Globally, the AI market is expected to grow from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, according to UN Trade and Development. WeRide was the first AV company to complete the Transport General Authority's Regulatory Sandbox for autonomous piloting. 'WeRide is not just deploying technology. We're participating in the local transportation ecosystem, creating jobs in fleet management, maintenance, and customer service, while helping address urban mobility challenges,' said Zhan. Partnerships that have underpinned the project include those with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver. Meanwhile, food delivery is getting its own autonomous upgrade. Jahez and ROSHN Group have launched the first fully autonomous Level 4 delivery robot in Riyadh's ROSHN Front Business Area. Five robots, equipped with over 20 sensors, six cameras, GPS, and climate-specific cooling, now operate there during working hours. 'Part of our strategy is to always optimize on automation, and this is part of the automation. To be innovative, we chose to optimize in our key pillar, which is logistics,' Mohammed Al-Barrak, Jahez's chief technology officer, told Arab News. 'So we decided to go with the autonomous delivery. And this is part of many upcoming technologies that will help with the automation of delivery, like within gated communities.' To prepare for this shift, the Roads General Authority has issued a Self-Driving Vehicles code, requiring smart road communication devices to relay real-time traffic and road data directly to autonomous systems. With strong investment and clear regulation, Saudi Arabia is well-placed to lead the autonomous vehicle transformation.
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AlUla Desert Blaze to Kick Off Friday with over 500 Runners
The latest edition of AlUla Desert Blaze race kicks off Friday, with more than 500 runners from around the world competing in one of the region's most prominent and challenging desert races. The race welcomes participants of all levels, from professional athletes to amateurs, with four distance options: 5 km, 10 km, 21.1 km (half marathon), and 42.2 km (full marathon), SPA reported. All routes begin at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, while the full marathon course passes by the iconic Maraya building and other notable landmarks in AlUla. The race is a featured event in the AlUla Moments Calendar of year-round sports and cultural activities, offering visitors the chance to explore AlUla's rich historical heritage.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Saudi ‘Art Bridges' 4-nation project opens for applications
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's Visual Arts Commission has launched its 'Art Bridges' initiative for 2025–2026, a series of international programs designed to promote cultural exchange. The programs will be hosted in Scotland, Japan, South Korea and Spain. The first in Scotland will be held from Sept. 22 to 27, in partnership with the British Council Scotland. Japan will host an event from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7, followed by South Korea from Nov. 19 to 27, and Spain from March 2 to 9, 2026. Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, said in a statement that the initiative offers a unique opportunity for cultural practitioners to share their creative voices with the world. Each edition of 'Art Bridges' will be tailored to the host destination. There will be meetings with thought leaders, visits to major cultural institutions, museums, galleries and artist studios, as well as workshops, knowledge-exchange sessions, and discussions with prominent local art figures. The 2025–2026 programs will explore specific themes, with Japan focusing on art and the environment by examining how artists interact with natural, urban and traditional settings. South Korea's program will address identity through art and society by studying community cultural movements, independent artist spaces and collaborative platforms. In Spain, the program will highlight heritage and collaborative practice by showcasing the intersection of shared artistic expression, and social purpose in cultural spaces. The application window for those wishing to participate opens on Aug. 13. The deadline for Japan is Aug. 21, while South Korea and Spain close on Aug. 31. Applicants must be over 21, have at least five years of professional experience, submit a strong portfolio, be fluent in English and commit to the full program schedule. The commission stated that 'Art Bridges' forms a cornerstone of its strategy to expand Saudi Arabia's cultural presence globally, build sustainable creative ecosystems, and forge long-term international partnerships.
