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‘AlUla Designathon’ Blends Creativity, Heritage, Desert Inspiration

The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)
The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)
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‘AlUla Designathon’ Blends Creativity, Heritage, Desert Inspiration

The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)
The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla is launching a pioneering initiative celebrating the creative dialogue between heritage and contemporary design through “AlUla Designathon,” a three-day journey of creativity, exploration, and innovation aimed at boosting AlUla’s position as a global hub for design and creativity, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Scheduled to take place from November 21 to 23 at Design Space AlUla, the program seeks to empower emerging Saudi designers by providing them with an inspiring, collaborative environment that fosters artistic and professional growth while celebrating cultural diversity.

Drawing inspiration from Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” reaffirming AlUla’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant design ecosystem that bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.

AlUla Designathon focuses on supporting young Saudi talents by offering opportunities to engage with AlUla’s creative landscape, heritage, crafts, and natural beauty under this year’s theme, “The Ingenuity of the Human Hand.” The theme highlights the intersection of human ingenuity, authenticity, and renewal.

The program combines inspiration, discovery, and hands-on practice under the guidance of international curators who will provide mentorship and technical supervision to develop prototypes in fashion design, graphic design, and product design.

Participants will take part in three days of field visits and workshops, beginning with inspiration tours and ideation sessions, followed by prototype development workshops and concluding with project presentations before experts and representatives from the Royal Commission for AlUla.

Organizers also announced the extension of the registration deadline to November 5, allowing more Saudi designers to join this creative event, one of the Kingdom’s leading cultural initiatives in contemporary design.

Through Designathon AlUla, the city reaffirms its role as a global destination for creativity and design, advancing national talent and building a sustainable design ecosystem that intertwines AlUla’s timeless heritage with future innovation.

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Culture

Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Syria underlined the strength of their cultural relationship during high-level meetings held in Damascus on Thursday, on the sidelines of the opening of the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, where the Kingdom is participating as guest of honor.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan at the Conference Palace in the capital.

Earlier the same day, Prince Badr met with his Syrian counterpart, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh, during an official visit to attend the fair. T

he Saudi minister congratulated Syria on hosting the exhibition and expressed his wishes for continued prosperity, progress, and stability for the Syrian government and people.

Both meetings highlighted the depth of cultural relations between the two countries, the importance of expanding joint cultural cooperation across various fields, and the alignment of positions on issues of mutual interest in a way that serves both nations.

The Saudi delegation included senior officials and advisers, among them representatives from the Royal Court, the Ministry of Culture, and the King Abdulaziz Public Library, reflecting broad institutional engagement in the visit.

In the evening, Prince Badr attended the opening ceremony of the fair’s special session, held under the patronage and in the presence of al-Sharaa. The event drew wide official and cultural participation, including Arab ministers, political and intellectual figures, and a distinguished group of writers and cultural figures.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Badr thanked “our brothers in Syria for their generous hospitality and their efforts in organizing the Damascus International Book Fair.”

The minister also inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion at the fair in the presence of the Syrian minister of culture and the Qatari minister of culture.

Saudi Arabia’s guest-of-honor participation continues until Feb. 16 and reflects its growing prominence and leadership in the Arab and global cultural landscape.

This participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which places culture at the heart of national development, viewing it as a space for dialogue, a bridge for civilizational communication, and a tool for strengthening ties among Arab peoples.

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is leading the Kingdom’s participation, highlighting the development of the cultural sector and reaffirming the central role of books as carriers of knowledge and awareness.

The Saudi pavilion boasts a comprehensive cultural program featuring intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, a manuscript exhibition, traditional Saudi fashion displays, hospitality corners, archaeological replicas, and performing arts that express the depth of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

On the sidelines of the visit, Prince Badr, accompanied by Minister Saleh, toured the National Museum of Damascus, which houses rare artifacts spanning prehistoric eras, ancient Syrian civilizations, classical and Islamic periods, as well as traditional and modern art.

Culture

UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
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UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA

The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of regional and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in historic Al-Hofuf.

Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the Bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families, SPA reported.

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.

With UNESCO's participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the Bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.

Culture

Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
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Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Yassin Saleh, have toured the National Museum of Damascus during the Kingdom’s participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The ministers observed on Thursday the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art.

A particular focus was placed on the Arab-Islamic wing, featuring significant artifacts from the Umayyad period.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.