عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Saudi Culture Ministry, King's Foundation Sign Cooperation Agreement to Participate in Year of Handicrafts 2025

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA
TT
TT

Saudi Culture Ministry, King's Foundation Sign Cooperation Agreement to Participate in Year of Handicrafts 2025

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has signed a cooperation agreement with The King's Foundation to participate in the Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative through the Foundation's School of Traditional Arts.

The signing ceremony, which was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, took place on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition (Banan), held at the Roshan Front in Riyadh.

The ministry was represented at the signing ceremony by Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, while the foundation was represented by the director of the King Charles School of Traditional Arts at The King's Foundation, Dr. Khaled Omar Azzam.

The agreement aims to revive and promote handicrafts in the Kingdom in 2025 through collaboration to prepare and implement training programs in the field of crafts in several Saudi regions. A key component of the agreement entails launching the "Regeneration of the Crafts of Saudi Arabia" program, which commences in early January 2025.
The School of Traditional Arts at The King's Foundation will develop a customized program and execute training initiatives focused on design and crafts, primarily to regenerate and renew Saudi craft traditions across different regions of the Kingdom.
The King's Foundation is a charitable, educational institution established in 1986 by Britain’s King Charles, formerly the Prince of Wales.
It aims to teach and demonstrate the principles of urban design and traditional architecture, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the people and communities at the center of the design process.
The Foundation's School of Traditional Arts places significant emphasis on traditional arts and skills through graduate programs and training courses in the creative artistic practice of these arts.
The agreement constitutes a strategic implementation of the Ministry of Culture's commitment to fostering international cultural exchange, which represents a core objective within the comprehensive National Culture Strategy under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.
Through this agreement, the ministry seeks to support the Year of the Handicrafts 2025 activities by implementing targeted training and development programs in design and craftsmanship for Saudi artisans. This initiative falls under the ministry's broader efforts to enhance craft production across the Kingdom.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque: An Architectural and Cultural Landmark

The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)
The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)
TT
TT

Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque: An Architectural and Cultural Landmark

The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)
The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate.(SPA)

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Development of Historical Mosques focuses on preserving and restoring historical mosques across Saudi Arabia while enhancing their architectural integrity and highlighting their cultural and religious significance. The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The Qasr Al-Shariah Mosque in Al-Haytham, Al-Kharj Governorate, exemplifies this effort. Closely tied to the governorate's history, it has served as a center for worship and community gatherings for decades, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.

Built in 1338 AH during the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, the mosque features traditional Najdi architecture, constructed from mud and stone with a roof made of tamarisk wood and palm fronds. Historically, it hosted Quranic classes and religious lessons.

Originally covering 314 square meters and accommodating around 90 worshippers, the mosque has been renovated to expand its area to 371 square meters and increase capacity to 150 worshippers, with the addition of essential facilities.

The project blends traditional building practices with modern techniques to ensure sustainability while preserving each mosque’s architectural identity. It also engages local heritage specialists under the supervision of Saudi engineers to achieve four key objectives: rehabilitating mosques for worship, restoring architectural authenticity, showcasing the Kingdom's civilizational heritage, and enhancing the cultural significance of historical mosques for future generations.

Culture

Royal Order Issued on Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
TT
TT

Royal Order Issued on Establishment of Riyadh University of Arts

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. SPA

A royal order has been issued approving the establishment of the Riyadh University of Arts, an independent educational institution headquartered in Riyadh under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture.

With legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy, the university is dedicated to specialized education in culture and the arts, aiming to cultivate national talent across creative disciplines through advanced academic programs aligned with global best practices and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The royal order authorizes the Minister of Culture to exercise the powers of the Board of Trustees until it is formally established, ensuring the swift completion of organizational procedures to begin operations.

To enhance its academic mission, the university will seek partnerships with prestigious international institutions to exchange expertise and develop high-level educational programs.

This initiative underscores the leadership's commitment to bolstering the Kingdom’s position as a regional cultural hub and fostering the growth of its creative industries.

Culture

Riyadh’s Markets Thrive as Men Prepare Traditional Attire for Eid Al-Fitr

Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity - SPA
Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity - SPA
TT
TT

Riyadh’s Markets Thrive as Men Prepare Traditional Attire for Eid Al-Fitr

Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity - SPA
Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity - SPA

In preparation for Eid Al-Fitr, Riyadh’s markets are experiencing a significant surge in activity as men follow the Prophetic tradition of adorning themselves for the holiday, creating high demand for new thobes, bishts, and high-quality perfumes such as oud oil and incense, while tailoring shops and specialty retailers work at peak capacity to meet the community’s needs before the Eid morning celebrations, SPA reported.

The classic white thobe remains the most popular choice for Eid morning, often paired with a shemagh and a white bisht to symbolize cultural identity and elegance.

Beyond appearance, these preparations reflect deep-rooted social and religious values, emphasizing gratitude, family visits, and the strengthening of communal ties.