Fashion Commission Launches Third Edition of Saudi Heritage Revival Program

The program includes a series of in-person workshops in Riyadh - SPA
The program includes a series of in-person workshops in Riyadh - SPA
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Fashion Commission Launches Third Edition of Saudi Heritage Revival Program

The program includes a series of in-person workshops in Riyadh - SPA
The program includes a series of in-person workshops in Riyadh - SPA

The Fashion Commission has announced the launch of the third edition of the Saudi Heritage Revival program, titled “Jewelry and Handcrafted Heritage”, in collaboration with Swarovski and Art of Heritage. The initiative aims to support and enable designers, artisans, and emerging creative talents to reinterpret Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage through contemporary jewelry and accessory design.

Building on the success of previous editions, the program celebrates Saudi craftsmanship by merging traditional artisanal techniques with modern design practices. Participants will have the opportunity to incorporate Swarovski Reignited Crystals, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural identity.

The competition has been developed to empower local creative talent while encouraging participants to draw inspiration from traditional Saudi crafts and transform them into contemporary designs that resonate with global audiences. Through a comprehensive educational journey, participants will gain direct access to industry experts, designers, and heritage specialists, equipping them with the technical and creative skills needed to elevate their work, SPA reported.

The program includes a series of in-person workshops in Riyadh, covering jewelry design, heritage crafts, traditional embroidery, accessories, and contemporary applications of Saudi cultural elements. Participants will also receive virtual mentorship sessions with specialists from Art of Heritage and Swarovski, which will support them throughout the design development process before they present their final collections to an expert judging panel.

The program began its early stages this month, with workshops that commenced in early August. Finalists will develop their concepts over several weeks before presenting their completed designs during the final showcase in Riyadh in September 2026, where the winning designer will be announced.

Through this initiative, the Fashion Commission continues to strengthen the Kingdom’s creative ecosystem by preserving traditional craftsmanship, promoting sustainable design practices, and creating meaningful opportunities for emerging designers to innovate while celebrating Saudi cultural heritage.

This program is a continuation of the Fashion Commission’s efforts to support local talents and enable them through training and development programs that contribute to reviving Saudi heritage through creative designs that merge traditional elements with innovation.



Misk Art Institute to Launch Creative Forum 2026 in September

This year's forum will explore the human imprint in contemporary cultural practices and the relationship between people and creativity as patterns of cultural and creative production and reception continue to change - SPA
This year's forum will explore the human imprint in contemporary cultural practices and the relationship between people and creativity as patterns of cultural and creative production and reception continue to change - SPA
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Misk Art Institute to Launch Creative Forum 2026 in September

This year's forum will explore the human imprint in contemporary cultural practices and the relationship between people and creativity as patterns of cultural and creative production and reception continue to change - SPA
This year's forum will explore the human imprint in contemporary cultural practices and the relationship between people and creativity as patterns of cultural and creative production and reception continue to change - SPA

Misk Art Institute, a subsidiary of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), announced the launch of the Creative Forum 2026, to be held on September 3 and 4 at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh.

Over two days, the forum will bring together more than 48 cultural experts, curators, academics, artists, and policymakers from around the world across 16 specialized panel discussions, eight artistic and cultural mentorship sessions covering various topics, and six sessions of the "Coffee with a Cultural Expert" program to examine the rapid transformations taking place in cultural practices amid technological developments, SPA reported.

This year's forum will explore the human imprint in contemporary cultural practices and the relationship between people and creativity as patterns of cultural and creative production and reception continue to change.

It will also examine aspects of storytelling and identity, creative collaboration networks, and the impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence on today's cultural landscape.

The forum reflects Misk Art Institute's commitment to fostering cultural dialogue at both the regional and international levels and creating spaces for discussion on issues shaping the future of the cultural sector.

It also underscores the importance of preserving the human dimension of creative practice and promoting the exchange of expertise and knowledge, contributing to a thriving creative ecosystem and reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a leading regional and international destination for cultural and artistic dialogue.

Since its launch in 2020, the Creative Forum has hosted more than 280 speakers from over 20 countries, attracted more than 14,000 participants, and generated more than three million digital impressions worldwide, reflecting its established position as one of the region's leading cultural events.


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.


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.