Latest news with #TheYearofHandicrafts
Trade Arabia
28-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
AlUla showcases authentic handicrafts at ATM
AlUla, a luxury heritage destination, is showcasing its first arts and design center, Madrasat Addeera, at Arabian Travel Market until May 1. The pop-up showcases a curated collection of handcrafted items, including stone-carved decorations, ceramics, and Sadu fabric, celebrating local artisans and AlUla's living heritage. This year's showcase gains special significance as 2025 has been declared The Year of Handicrafts in Saudi Arabia, an initiative that recognises the importance of preserving and promoting traditional craftsmanship as a vital part of the Kingdom's cultural identity. In this context, Madrasat Addeera stands as a powerful driver of cultural continuity and innovation. Located at the heart of AlUla's AlJadidah Arts District, Madrasat Addeera champions traditional crafts and contemporary design through community-driven creativity. Each creation displayed at ATM, many of which have been made by women artisans trained through Madrasat Addeera's Vocational Training Programme, tells a story. Madrasat Addeera is one of many ways AlUla is reviving ancient arts, crafts and culture, and also empowering the local community through skills development and economic opportunity. Visitors to the AlUla stand at ATM can also engage with the stories behind the pieces, gaining insight into how the destination is redefining authentic tourism through immersive cultural experiences. AlUla invites visitors to experience its stand at ME #1720, Sheikh Saeed Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre, during the Arabian Travel Market. A range of engaging activities will offer guests an immersive glimpse into the wonders of AlUla - right in the heart of Dubai. Another available experience at the stand is the 'Echoes of AlUla', where visitors can have their names transliterated into ancient Dadanitic script, once used by the Lihyanite and Dadanite kingdoms that thrived in AlUla - offering a unique way to connect with the city's rich heritage and take home a symbolic piece of its history. Adding a personal touch, two Rawi, AlUla's traditional storytellers and tour guides, will be on hand to engage with visitors, sharing authentic stories, insights, and perspectives from the destination they call home.
Leaders
27-04-2025
- General
- Leaders
Wrth Organizes Saudi-Chinese Cultural Exchange Program
The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) has carried out the Saudi-Chinese cultural exchange program 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency. In collaboration with the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University of China, the program took place from April 25 to 27. Saudi-Chinese Cultural Exchange Program As part of Wrth's efforts to promote cultural exchange, the event sought to provide various segments of society with an engaging platform to practice handicrafts. In line with 'The Year of Handicrafts,' the program featured dialogue sessions and interactive workshops on traditional Saudi arts. Saudi-Chinese Cultural Exchange Program In addition, the activities included a dialogue session on the traditional art of Roshan and a lecture on traditional Saudi arts registered on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and their impact on cultural exchange, presented by Reema Al-Dosari, a lecturer at Wrth's College of Visual Arts. Through numerous specialized workshops, the program highlighted the following crafts: The Traditional wood art workshop taught participants how to decorate Najdi windows. The program also hosted a traditional metalworking workshop, which produced Chinese hairpins with designs inspired by traditional Saudi jewelry. The Traditional leather art workshop taught students how to produce leather wallets. Saudi-Chinese Cultural Exchange Program Related Topics: Wrth, Roads General Authority Launch Highway Signage Initiative Riyadh's Royal Institute Launches Wrth Community Craft Initiative Wrth, Riyadh Metro Celebrate Saudi Founding Day with Traditional Arts Showcase Short link : Post Views: 10 Related Stories
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-04-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Royal Institute of Traditional Arts Implements Saudi-Chinese Cultural Exchange Program
The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), in partnership with the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University of China, implemented the Saudi-Chinese cultural exchange program 2025 from April 25 to 27, as part of its efforts to promote cultural exchange and engage various segments of society in practicing handicrafts using distinctive methods, coinciding with "The Year of Handicrafts". The program included dialogue sessions and interactive workshops in Saudi traditional arts, including Roshan and other forms listed on UNESCO's Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, SPA reported. It also featured specialized workshops, most notably in traditional wood art for decorating Najdi windows, designing Chinese hairpins with patterns inspired by traditional Saudi jewelry, and crafting leather wallets.
Gulf Insider
06-04-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Introduces New-Look Signs on Major Roads
Saudi Arabia is introducing new-look signs on major roads as it looks to highlight regional cultural specialties and artistic highlights. The Roads General Authority (RGA) and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) have launched the 'Wrth Saudi' initiative, featuring informational signs along highways across the Kingdom to introduce and celebrate authentic national crafts within a modern cultural and visual context. Launched in conjunction with 'The Year of Handicrafts,' the initiative's first phase began on three major highways: The Riyadh–Dammam Road The Hijra Road (Makkah–Madinah) The Riyadh–Qassim Road New Saudi road signs Subsequent phases will expand the initiative to other vital roads across the country. 'Wrth Saudi' highlights the traditional arts unique to each region before travellers arrive, showcasing crafts such as Najdi door-making, clay construction, carpentry and wood decoration, and the bisht, a traditional Arabic cloak. The Kingdom's expansive and highly interconnected road network, one of the most comprehensive in the world, is widely used by pilgrims and tourists. The initiative provides a valuable opportunity to promote Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts plays a leading role in preserving national identity by promoting and enriching traditional arts both locally and globally. It supports artisans, recognises cultural pioneers, and encourages learning and innovation in traditional arts.
Arabian Business
06-04-2025
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia introduces new-look signs on major roads
Saudi Arabia is introducing new-look signs on major roads as it looks to highlight regional cultural specialties and artistic highlights. The Roads General Authority (RGA) and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) have launched the 'Wrth Saudi' initiative, featuring informational signs along highways across the Kingdom to introduce and celebrate authentic national crafts within a modern cultural and visual context. Launched in conjunction with 'The Year of Handicrafts,' the initiative's first phase began on three major highways: The Riyadh–Dammam Road The Hijra Road (Makkah–Madinah) The Riyadh–Qassim Road New Saudi road signs Subsequent phases will expand the initiative to other vital roads across the country. 'Wrth Saudi' highlights the traditional arts unique to each region before travellers arrive, showcasing crafts such as Najdi door-making, clay construction, carpentry and wood decoration, and the bisht, a traditional Arabic cloak. The Kingdom's expansive and highly interconnected road network, one of the most comprehensive in the world, is widely used by pilgrims and tourists. The initiative provides a valuable opportunity to promote Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts plays a leading role in preserving national identity by promoting and enriching traditional arts both locally and globally. It supports artisans, recognises cultural pioneers, and encourages learning and innovation in traditional arts.
