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Saudi Arabia Designates 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts to Celebrate Its Vibrant Cultural Heritage

The year dedicated to preserving and documenting traditional Saudi handicrafts and strengthening their international presence (Ministry of Culture)
The year dedicated to preserving and documenting traditional Saudi handicrafts and strengthening their international presence (Ministry of Culture)
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Saudi Arabia Designates 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts to Celebrate Its Vibrant Cultural Heritage

The year dedicated to preserving and documenting traditional Saudi handicrafts and strengthening their international presence (Ministry of Culture)
The year dedicated to preserving and documenting traditional Saudi handicrafts and strengthening their international presence (Ministry of Culture)

Handicrafts have long held a special place in Saudi Arabia’s cultural fabric, representing a prosperous heritage passed down through generations. Rooted in the creativity and skill of Saudi artisans, these traditional crafts symbolize the nation’s ingenuity and resilience while highlighting its diverse cultural identity.
Throughout 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Culture will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs, and exciting competitions under the banner of the "Year of Handicrafts." These activities aim to emphasize the cultural and historical significance of handicrafts while supporting their relevance in modern life, said the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.
By highlighting artisanry across various sectors, the initiative seeks to foster appreciation for traditional arts and encourage their continued practice and preservation.
Handicrafts, including palm weaving, metalwork, and pottery, serve as enduring symbols of Saudi culture, blending tradition with modernity. These crafts are not only an artistic expression but also a reflection of the Kingdom’s history, values, and adaptability. By celebrating these art forms, the Year of Handicrafts aims to inspire new generations to engage with their heritage and highlight the talent of Saudi artisans to local and global audiences.
The initiative also seeks to empower artisans by enhancing opportunities for their crafts in contemporary markets and strengthening their connection with the global community. Through partnerships across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the Year of Handicrafts will cultivate sustainable practices, foster innovation, and contribute to cultural dialogue.
As a testament to the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s heritage, the Year of Handicrafts provides a platform to celebrate the stories, skills, and traditions that form the foundation of the Kingdom’s cultural identity.

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Culture

Palestinian Artist Sliman Mansour Dies at 79

Painter and sculptor Sliman Mansour and his landmark 1973 painting, "Camel of Hardships". (Sliman Mansour on Instagram)
Painter and sculptor Sliman Mansour and his landmark 1973 painting, "Camel of Hardships". (Sliman Mansour on Instagram)
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Palestinian Artist Sliman Mansour Dies at 79

Painter and sculptor Sliman Mansour and his landmark 1973 painting, "Camel of Hardships". (Sliman Mansour on Instagram)
Painter and sculptor Sliman Mansour and his landmark 1973 painting, "Camel of Hardships". (Sliman Mansour on Instagram)

Painter and sculptor Sliman Mansour, one of the most prominent names in Palestinian art, has died at the age of 79, his family announced.

Mansour, whose vivid artwork depicted both Palestinian traditions and his people's struggles under Israeli occupation, died on Monday at his home in east Jerusalem, his family said.

"The final chapter has been written. With hearts gripped by sorrow beyond description, we announce that our dear father has left this world," the family said in a statement.

"For the world, he leaves behind a life filled with beauty and memories, and a legacy that will continue through everyone whose lives he touched. As for us, we have lost a father who was the source of our love, our strength and our refuge."

Mansour was born in Birzeit, north of Ramallah, in 1947 and studied art and design in Jerusalem, graduating in 1970.

The Palestinian Culture Ministry mourned Mansour, calling him "one of the most important pillars of contemporary Palestinian visual art, whose career over decades formed part of the Palestinian visual and national memory".

The ministry hailed his landmark 1973 painting, "Camel of Hardships", depicting an elderly Palestinian porter carrying the city of Jerusalem on his back, as "an artistic and national icon", adding that his work served "as witness to Palestinian history and guardian of identity".

Mansour was the recipient of numerous awards, among them the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture in 2019.

Culture

Saudi Arabia Establishes Cultural Center in Paris

Saudi Arabia Establishes Cultural Center in Paris
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Saudi Arabia Establishes Cultural Center in Paris

Saudi Arabia Establishes Cultural Center in Paris

The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced on Monday the establishment of a Saudi cultural center in Paris on the sidelines of the visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to France.

The center will serve as a platform for promoting Saudi culture and highlighting its historical depth and creative diversity through high-quality cultural programs and initiatives involving French practitioners, institutions and the public.

It will support the international presence of Saudi cultural practitioners, strengthen communication between intellectuals and creative professionals in the two countries, and build strategic partnerships between Saudi and French cultural institutions, facilitating the exchange of expertise and implementation of joint cultural initiatives.

The establishment of the center reflects the continued development of Saudi-French relations and underscores the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its international cultural presence and presenting an authentic cultural image that introduces the world to its rich heritage and contemporary creative output.

Culture

Saudi-French Joint Ministerial Committee on AlUla Underlines Commitment to Deepen Partnership

Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan (third from left) and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (third from right) during the meeting of the joint Saudi-French Ministerial Committee on AlUla on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan (third from left) and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (third from right) during the meeting of the joint Saudi-French Ministerial Committee on AlUla on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi-French Joint Ministerial Committee on AlUla Underlines Commitment to Deepen Partnership

Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan (third from left) and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (third from right) during the meeting of the joint Saudi-French Ministerial Committee on AlUla on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan (third from left) and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (third from right) during the meeting of the joint Saudi-French Ministerial Committee on AlUla on Monday. (SPA)

The joint Saudi-French Ministerial Committee on AlUla held a meeting in Paris on Monday, chaired by Saudi Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif, and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla Abeer Al-Akel. Also present were French Minister of Culture Catherine Pegard, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Roland Lescure, and Chairman of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The officials welcomed the signing of an agreement to extend and amend the agreement concluded between the Saudi and French governments on the cultural, environmental, tourism, human, economic, and heritage development of AlUla Governorate.

They reviewed the partnership's achievements and discussed avenues for future cooperation, reflecting the strength of relations between the two countries and affirming AlUla's position as a meeting point of civilizations and a global destination for culture, creativity, and sustainable development.

They underlined their commitment to further deepening the partnership, which has become a global model for international cooperation based on the exchange of mutual benefits and knowledge, contributing to the achievement of comprehensive and sustainable development goals.

The meeting reviewed the scale of joint investments and areas of ongoing cooperation in the sectors of archaeology, arts, culture, sports, hospitality, and human-capital development.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development through strategic projects, such as the AlUla Tram and the Sharaan Resort, designed by Jean Nouvel, as well as investments in renewable energy, water, and mobility, supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to attract one million visitors and global investments while preserving AlUla's cultural and natural heritage.