Royal Institute of Traditional Arts features at Expo 2025 Osaka's Saudi Culture Week
The event, from July 12-15, highlighted the 'Year of Handicrafts 2025' initiative and put the Kingdom's creative industries and craftsmanship in the spotlight. It also coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Wrth's participation blended Saudi and Japanese culture in a way that highlighted each one and featured a live demonstration by Saudi artisan Salman Al-Hamad and Japan's Yuho Ohkotaof, who applied the techniques of Al-Ahsa Bisht embroidery to a Japanese kimono design.
Wrth also held a workshop dedicated to creating Japanese fans with patterns inspired by Saudi traditional arts, using a design by a Wrth student.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
Sakura adorn Japan Pavilion at Esports World Cup in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Japan Pavilion at the Esports World Cup at Riyadh City Boulevard is now filled with Sakura trees as part of the cultural experiences accompanying the global event. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Japanese company Crunchyroll is also showing an artistic sculpture celebrating the deep symbolism of these trees in Japanese culture. Sakura, or cherry blossom trees, are generally used as a national symbol in Japan, featured mostly during spring, in food and beverages. The sculpture provides visitors with an opportunity to connect with one of Japan's cultural icons.
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk takes in Esports World Cup in Riyadh
RIYADH: From skateboarding in drained swimming pools to becoming the global face of skateboarding, Tony Hawk has been at the center of an industry he has seen grow from a backyard hobby to featuring in the Olympic Games. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport And in a similar way, gaming and esports have rapidly grown into global phenomena, capturing the hearts and minds of millions worldwide. And while the world's most famous skateboarder has seen and been part of some incredible spectacles, he has been stunned by the scale of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. 'This is my first time ever in Saudi Arabia and in Riyadh at the Esports World Cup. I think the most surprising thing is the size of it,' said Hawk. 'I thought it would be one arena and games coming in and out. It's multiple arenas, thousands of competitors, it kind of takes over the whole city and it's very impressive.' Arriving in Riyadh, Hawk took the opportunity to tick another country off his skating bucket list, breaking out his board to carve the streets of Saudi Arabia and check out the local skate scene. 'I think there's a lot of potential here, especially in skateboarding or action sports,' he said. 'I see a growing passion for skateboarding. They could really seize the opportunity and create a thriving skate scene very quickly.' Soaking in the atmosphere and touring the Esports World Cup Festival, Hawk has garnered huge attention from local fans eager to interact with an icon of the skateboarding world. 'I am surprised any time I get recognized, especially in foreign countries that are not very skate centric. It's always a shock because I never got into skateboarding to be famous; no one was famous in skateboarding, in fact it was the furthest thing from fame you could do when I started. 'All these interactions I just think are entertaining, because I get recognized but people don't expect me to have gotten older since they last saw me, which is usually from a video game, so they're like, 'it looks that guy, but he can't be that old.' And that's fine with me.' Having been at the forefront of an industry that accelerated from a niche activity to a global sport, Hawk has seen significant parallels between gaming and skateboarding. He believes esports will only get bigger, providing people around the world who have a passion for gaming with the opportunity to pursue impactful careers in the industry. 'I see a lot of parallels between skateboarding and gaming,' he said. 'Especially in the early days, you did it because you loved it. It was the furthest thing from cool, there was no future, there was no career,' Tony says. 'Mostly you were told you shouldn't be doing that. Especially by adults and especially when you become an adult. 'Gaming is the same. When playing games as a kid I'm sure parents thought you spent too much time doing it, [that] it's not productive, it's eating into your homework or your social life. Now it's a huge industry and you can become a professional, the same as skateboarding. 'I feel the people who were there in the earlier days understand it on a deeper level because they were chastised for it. These days if someone gets into skating or gaming, they know that they could make a living out of it, without question, and their parents might even encourage it. That's kind of wild to me. No parents were really encouraging skateboarding in my day.' With the gaming and esports industry thriving around the world alongside the growth of streaming and social media, pathways into the gaming and esports industry have been established, creating opportunities for young people to forge careers in the industry they love. What seemed impossible a few years ago is becoming a reality; the gaming industry continues to grow and with it comes the opportunity for those with the ability, dedication and creative spark to become professionals within the industry. 'My parents were the rare exception, that they were supportive of my skating, but they didn't think it was going to be a career either,' said Hawk. 'They wanted me to go to college. I was a professional skateboarder, I was buying a house in my senior year of high school, and they wanted me to enroll in college. So they didn't believe it was going to be my future either. 'Kids who aspire to game for a living have a chance now, and their parents may be supportive of that decision. I don't know if it's going to happen every time, but it's kind of like skateboarding in that way too. There are so many ways to do it. You can be a streamer, you can have your own niche, you can have your own brand or personality and with skateboarding it's the same. You don't have to compete. If you're making good content and you're putting it out there and you're innovative, you can still thrive at it.' On release the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series became one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, defining a generation and accelerating the growth of skateboarding and gaming culture across the world. More than 20 years later, the re-release of the original titles and updates to the franchise continue to capture the imaginations of gamers across the world, connecting them to the nostalgia of the originals, while updating them to engage with a new generation of gamers. 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 just came out, and it's a remake of our third and fourth games from over 20 years ago,' said Hawk. 'I think the reason that we even get to do those now is that there is a very deep nostalgia for these games. For people, I think it defines a time in their lives where they formed their taste in music, where they learned about something other than mainstream sports, skateboarding specifically, but also other fringe sports and alternative, action sports. I hear a lot of people say that it was their best days playing that game, or it's the reason I failed college, and either one I take as a compliment.' He added: 'I think what set Tony Hawk's Pro Skater apart in the early days was that it was authentic. It represented skateboarding in all its forms, the culture, the music, the fashion, the skaters, the tricks and the renegade attitude, hopping fences and everything. To bring it [back in] 2025 we had to update it in all respects. I wanted to reflect how skateboarding is now, how much more inclusive it is, how much more international it is, and I think we did that well. We chose some new skaters, brought back most of the iconic legends, and we even brought in three new levels, so I do feel we've entered a new era.'
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Arab News
Review: A luxurious Riyadh staycation at the Mansard Hotel
RIYADH: The Mansard Hotel in Riyadh has established itself as a top choice among those looking for a luxury staycation in the Kingdom's capital. This exquisite establishment offers a plethora of facilities, including a top-tier restaurant and a renowned spa by L'Occitane that promises a rejuvenating experience catering to both relaxation and indulgence. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The Mansard is a Radisson Collection Hotel and was recently nominated for the Favorite Luxury Hotel in Riyadh award by What's On Saudi Arabia. The hotel marries classic European architecture with the warmth of Arabian hospitality, and its location in the heart of the city — in the vibrant Hittin neighborhood — ensures convenient access to key destinations including King Khalid International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District. A post shared by Mansard Riyadh (@radissoncollectionmansard) In Hittin, guests can explore an array of trendy shops and cafés, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in local culture. However, you could also simply remain in the hotel; it really does have everything you need — the inviting outdoor spaces and stunning European architecture created a serene atmosphere that enhanced our experience — including some great dining options. We began our culinary journey at L'Ami Dave, billed as 'a contemporary homage to the legendary restaurants of Paris.' The grand interior features high ceilings and lush textures that give the place an elegant old-world atmosphere. We indulged in escargots de Bourgogne, a classic French dish of snails prepared in garlic-herb butter, which was delightful. The green salad of baby romaine lettuce, fine herbs, and Dijon vinaigrette complemented the dish perfectly. The quiche Lorraine, filled with spinach, shallots, and bacon, was another standout, paired beautifully with a petite spinach salad. We also dined at Carbone — an Italian-American restaurant known for its vibrant atmosphere. We tried the octopus pizzaiolo, which was flavorful and well-prepared. The New York strip was also well executed, though the carpaccio could have benefited from additional arugula. A post shared by Mansard Riyadh (@radissoncollectionmansard) Unfortunately, the Dover sole fish was a disappointment, lacking the seasoning and flavor that one would expect from a fine-dining establishment. And despite its reputation, the most famous pasta dish was mediocre, with a presentation that left much to be desired. On a positive note, Carbone's Wagyu NY strip was satisfying, and we enjoyed a refreshing lemon cheesecake for dessert — a perfect way to conclude our meal. Breakfast the following morning at Sadelle's was another success. I savored the avocado Benedict on sourdough, as well as the fluffy Belgian waffles, all of which was delicious and set a positive tone for the day. A post shared by Mansard Riyadh (@radissoncollectionmansard) No stay at Mansard would be complete without a visit to the Spa by L'Occitane. It features a massive heated pool, where we enjoyed a refreshing dip, followed by the jacuzzi, which proved a perfect way to unwind. We were particularly enamored with the salt room, designed to 'cleanse negative energy.' I also treated myself to a Moroccan bath, a deeply relaxing experience. The Mansard offers a luxurious escape that combines modern amenities with traditional charm. From the exceptional dining experiences to the relaxing spa treatments, every aspect of the stay was designed for our comfort and indulgence. I left feeling refreshed and keen to return, convinced that this hotel really does provide a perfect staycation. If you're searching for a place to unwind and enjoy the best that Riyadh has to offer, look no further.
