Al-Safiyyah Museum in Madinah Celebrates Saudi Arabia's Handicraft Heritage

File photo: Inauguration of the Al-Safiyyah Museum. The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)
File photo: Inauguration of the Al-Safiyyah Museum. The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)
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Al-Safiyyah Museum in Madinah Celebrates Saudi Arabia's Handicraft Heritage

File photo: Inauguration of the Al-Safiyyah Museum. The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)
File photo: Inauguration of the Al-Safiyyah Museum. The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah. (SPA)

Al-Safiyyah Museum and Park in Madinah hosted a vibrant cultural event organized by the Madinah Crafts Association in collaboration with the Heritage Commission as part of the Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative.

The event brought together a diverse group of skilled male and female artisans who showcased traditional crafts that reflect the richness and diversity of Saudi Arabia's national heritage. Among the featured crafts were wood engraving, sadu weaving, hand-weaving, silver jewelry making, wickerwork, palm basket weaving, and Islamic pottery decoration, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Visitors were treated to live demonstrations and interactive workshops, offering a hands-on experience of the creative processes and technical expertise behind each craft. The event also promoted intergenerational dialogue, highlighting the importance of preserving and evolving these age-old traditions as integral elements of the Kingdom’s cultural identity.

Cultural enthusiasts and visitors praised the quality and variety of the products on display, emphasizing the role such events play in raising public awareness about Saudi handicrafts and encouraging their continued development.

The Ministry of Culture, through its Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative, continues to support artisans across the Kingdom by facilitating access to local and global markets and promoting traditional skills rooted in Saudi culture. The initiative aims to ensure the sustainability of the handicraft sector and preserve its rich heritage.



Red Sea Fund Launches Second Round to Support Film Projects in Production Stage

File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA
File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA
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Red Sea Fund Launches Second Round to Support Film Projects in Production Stage

File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA
File photo of the fifth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival - SPA

The Red Sea Fund, affiliated with the Red Sea Film Foundation, announced the opening of applications to support film projects in the production stage within the second round of this year’s support program, which will continue until March 21, as part of its efforts to enhance the cinema industry and empower innovators in the region, SPA reported.

The round aims to support promising cinematic voices from the Kingdom and the Arab world, as well as filmmakers from Africa and Asia, through financial grants that help complete film projects and present their creative narratives globally, with a special focus on projects ready to enter production and begin filming.


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Jami' Mosque in Tabuk Region

The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA
The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historic Al-Jami' Mosque in Tabuk Region

The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA
The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of Al-Jami' Mosque in Duba, Tabuk Region, as part of its mission to preserve the Kingdom's architectural heritage under Vision 2030.

As one of Duba’s oldest landmarks, the mosque is deeply intertwined with the city’s maritime history, traditionally serving as a central meeting point for sailors. Throughout its history, the mosque underwent several construction phases, including significant contributions by King Abdulaziz and King Fahd, before its selection for the current national development project, SPA reported.

The renovation utilized modern technologies to restore the mosque's original identity, increasing its area to 972.23 square meters and its capacity to 779 worshippers. The architectural style is inspired by traditional Red Sea heritage, incorporating natural materials like stone, mud, and wood for intricate mashrabiyas.

Executed by specialized Saudi firms, the project balances traditional standards with sustainability to rehabilitate the site for worship while highlighting its cultural significance. By restoring such landmarks, the project ensures the preservation of the Kingdom’s diverse architectural and social memory for future generations.


Leading Portraiture Competition Celebrates Saudi Heritage Through Art

Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA
Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA
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Leading Portraiture Competition Celebrates Saudi Heritage Through Art

Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA
Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives - SPA

The Dia Aziz Dia Award for Portrait, hosted by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Jeddah, is a leading platform for portraiture and the only competition of its kind in the Middle East. It fosters national identity through contemporary art, connecting veteran and emerging artists.

Throughout its history, the award has emphasized themes rooted in Saudi heritage and national initiatives, including Saudi women, the Arabian horse, the Saudi Green Initiative, and King Abdulaziz.

These themes highlight art's role in reflecting social transformations and contributing to the cultural goals of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

The current ninth edition, with a theme focused on King Salman, invited artists to depict the leadership and humanity of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. This edition attracted significant participation, with 787 submissions from 42 cities, including international entries.

Of these, 61 works were shortlisted for the final competition, with prizes totaling SAR170,000 awarded to three main winners and seven incentive recipients.