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Saudi Arabia Showcases its Culture in Milan

The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo
The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo
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Saudi Arabia Showcases its Culture in Milan

The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo
The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo

The Ministry of Culture is participating with a National Pavilion at Artigiano in Fiera, a global village of arts and crafts, displaying items, foods, and beverages from various corners of the globe for more than two decades.

It advocates for artisans, creators of beauty and goodness, presenting distinctive, high-quality products that honor both nature and people. This year's edition will take place in Rho, Milan, from December 2 to 10.

Artigiano in Fiera is now the world's biggest trade fair of its kind, celebrated for its unique blend of positivity and beauty. With a layout organized by regions, the event brings together thousands of artisans. Representing over 100 countries, these artisans showcase a wide range of products from food and textiles to design, furniture, personal care, and fashion.

Antonio Intiglietta, President of exhibition planner Ge.FI., expressed pride in Saudi Arabia's presence.

"After last year's success, we are extremely proud of Saudi Arabia's renewed presence, this year among the largest stands at the fair. We recommend all Italians to discover the wonderful traditions of Saudi culture,” Intiglietta said.

At the Saudi Pavilion, attendees can explore various traditional crafts, including the UNESCO-recognized Al-Qatt Al-Asiri—a unique form of traditional interior wall decoration crafted by skilled female artisans from the Southern region.

The exhibition also highlights the ancient artistry of Al Sadu, a traditional weaving technique passed down by the Central region’s women through generations. This curated presentation provides valuable insights into Saudi Arabia's diverse cultural heritage, emphasizing the unique contributions of its regions to the nation's historical tapestry.

To showcase the vast cultural legacy, the Saudi Ministry of Culture along with some of its 11 sector specific commissions and other will participate in the forthcoming exhibition.

The Saudi Pavilion will offer visitors unique and immersive experiences and enable them to interact directly with skilled Saudi artisans, gain valuable insights into the intricate materials and tools employed, and foster a deeper appreciation for the intrinsic value of each handicraft.

Moreover, the pavilion promises a sensory journey as visitors can indulge in the flavorful tastes of traditional Saudi dishes and culinary delights meticulously prepared by chefs selected by The Culinary Arts Commission. Through this participation, the Commission showcases Saudi cuisine both nationally and globally, and adds a delightful gastronomic dimension to the cultural showcase.

In addition to the visual and culinary treats, attendees can also bask in the artistic prowess showcased by traditional Saudi performers associated with the Theater and Performing Arts Commission. As a patron for all genres of performing arts, the commission brings forth characteristic musical and dance performances that enrich the cultural display.

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Culture

Chinese Lion Dance Troupe Shrugs off Patriarchal Past 

This photo taken on January 22, 2025 shows members of a lion dance troupe playing drums and percussions during a lion dance practice session in Shantou, in southern China's Guangdong province. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 22, 2025 shows members of a lion dance troupe playing drums and percussions during a lion dance practice session in Shantou, in southern China's Guangdong province. (AFP)
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Chinese Lion Dance Troupe Shrugs off Patriarchal Past 

This photo taken on January 22, 2025 shows members of a lion dance troupe playing drums and percussions during a lion dance practice session in Shantou, in southern China's Guangdong province. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 22, 2025 shows members of a lion dance troupe playing drums and percussions during a lion dance practice session in Shantou, in southern China's Guangdong province. (AFP)

Flinging her male teammate into the air, performer Lin Xinmeng practices China's world-famous lion dance with a troupe that is shrugging off centuries of patriarchal norms.

Mixing acrobatics, martial arts and theater, lion dancing is believed to bring prosperity and protection from evil spirits.

Performed across China and around the world, at weddings or during business openings, it is a mainstay of Lunar New Year celebrations, which begin on Wednesday.

"I discovered this dance one day by chance in the street. I found it super graceful," Lin, 18, told AFP in a courtyard in the southern Chinese city of Shantou, where her troupe trains.

"The tenacity of the dancers, their ability to perform these movements, impressed me. I wanted to become like them," she said.

Inside a costume consisting of a large, colorful lion head and a long, silky piece of fabric representing the body, dancers must work in tandem to bring the animal to life.

It can be tough on dancers' bodies, with one performer often required to lift the other by the waist to simulate the beast jumping on its hind legs.

That physical exertion, coupled with deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes, has long resulted in women being excluded from the tradition.

But Lin Likun -- the troupe's 31-year-old coach -- said the presence of women made the lion dancing show more "enjoyable" and means more people can pass on "this intangible heritage".

"We are constantly looking for ways to innovate, to breathe new vitality into lion dance," he said.

"It also allows us to reflect women's aspirations," he added, even if some give up along the way because of the physical demands.

- Rejecting patriarchy -

The troupe, called Lingdong, counts about 80 members aged between 13 to 33, most of them school students.

Around 20 of them are women.

While the presence of young women in the troupe elicits "mostly positive" feedback, Lin acknowledges that there has been some "mockery" and "negative reactions".

"Some old-timers think that women should stay at home and do housework. But our generation has a different view," he said.

"We believe in equality between men and women."

A growing number of Chinese women are rejecting the rigidity of traditional obligations imposed by their parents, who expect them to marry and have children young.

The cultural shift has been accompanied by the stardom of tennis player Zheng Qinwen, a champion at last year's Paris Olympics, and the critical success of the Chinese film "Her Story", which addresses gender inequality in contemporary society.

"Some say that a girl can't lead a lion. But it's my passion and it's up to me alone to take it on," said performer Lin Xinmeng.

"I want to surpass myself, to show that girls are not necessarily less good than boys," she explained.

- 'Masculine strength, feminine grace' -

Lin goes jogging, squats and weight trains to prepare herself for the most physically demanding parts of the dance.

She sees the participation of women and girls as a way "to combine masculine strength and feminine grace".

Another girl in the troupe, Dong Zidan, has 45,000 followers on the social network Douyin, China's version of TikTok, where she regularly shares content about lion dancing.

"I hope to encourage more girls to participate in our customs and pass on this intangible heritage," she said.

Coach Lin's next project is to have as many girls as boys in his team.

He will then try to create an all-women troupe -- a distant goal given the challenges that persist.

"The facts will prove that girls can assert themselves just as much as men," he insisted.

"Whether in lion dancing or in daily life."