From past to present: Saudi handicrafts celebrate cultural legacy

The Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative celebrates Saudi Arabia’s rich craft heritage and sparks narratives about its preservation for future generations.

Craft, previously seen in the world of art and design with an old-fashioned disciplinary disdain, is having a renaissance. Skill and handwork have always held their value, but the stories of the artisans who wield these skills often go unsung. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture aims to bring perspective to centuries-old materials and techniques, creating and promoting timeless contemporary work infused with Middle Eastern culture and artistry.

As the Ministry of Culture embarks on the “Year of Handicrafts” in 2025, it seeks to showcase the richness of the Kingdom’s crafts, a legacy passed down through generations. This initiative is not only about preserving the past but also about celebrating the artisans whose craftsmanship speaks volumes about their creativity, resilience, and the diverse cultural identity of the nation.

 This initiative is part of the Ministry’s on-going efforts to celebrate and safeguard Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity, following previous themes such as the “Year of Arabic Calligraphy” in 2020/2021, the “Year of Saudi Coffee” in 2022, the “Year of Arabic Poetry” in 2023, and the “Year of the Camel” in 2024. By dedicating 2025 to handicrafts, Saudi Arabia highlights the significance of its traditional arts within the national cultural narrative, aiming to inspire pride and encourage engagement among both citizens and visitors.

Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts and Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, at the recent AlUla Arts Festival stated, “We live in a region filled with inspirational elements from our rich culture and surrounded by inspiring landscapes; yet what really fascinates me are the artisans in the region and how they design and create beautiful ornaments using techniques passed down to them from their ancestors. It is the beauty of handmade creations and the intricate skill embedded within them that fuels creativity and drives product development through the lens of craftsmanship.”

As the Kingdom celebrates its rich craft heritage, the initiative also serves to introduce these ancient crafts in new settings, blending tradition with innovation. One of the core goals of the Ministry’s initiative is to preserve and reinvent these traditional crafts while fostering their integration into contemporary society. By emphasising the cultural and historical importance of handicrafts, the Ministry is not only honouring the past but also ensuring that these art forms thrive in the modern age. A variety of events, exhibitions, educational programs, and competitions will unfold throughout 2025, giving artisans the platform to showcase their talents, while also engaging the public in the appreciation and preservation of these crafts.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Minister of Culture, stated that “the depth and sophistication of Saudi handicrafts reflect the brilliance of the Saudi people—through pottery, traditional clothing, copper work, jewellery, and leatherwork—each piece tells the story of the nation's ingenuity. The “Year of Handicrafts” 2025 is not just about preserving tradition; it also creates an opportunity to innovate within these crafts, incorporating sustainability and modern techniques, ultimately contributing to the Kingdom's economy”. He goes on to say “this enterprise represents a strategic pathway toward elevating our national cultural narrative and celebrating the skills and artistic expressions that define our identity”.

The “Year of Handicrafts” also highlights the essential role that women play in preserving these traditions. Many handicrafts, particularly in regions like the Northern Borders, have been passed down through generations of women who remain deeply connected to the natural environment. In these regions, craftswomen are empowered through initiatives that support them economically and socially. Local markets, such as the one in Arar (capital of the Northern Borders Province), provide opportunities for women to display their crafts, while educational programs help them reach wider audiences.

A key enterprise under the “Year of Handicrafts” is the ‘WRTH Community’ initiative, launched earlier this year by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts in Riyadh. This program is designed to blend contemporary design with traditional crafts, allowing artisans to adapt their techniques for the modern world while ensuring the preservation of their cultural heritage. Through workshops, collaborations, and skill-building initiatives, this program will inspire new generations of artisans and foster creative exchanges within the community.

Additionally, the “Year of Handicrafts” project encourages innovation through several specialised programs. One of the most fascinating is the “Handicrafts Hackathon,” which aims to bring together creators, innovators, and designers to find new solutions in the areas of marketing, design, and production of traditional crafts. The hackathon will explore two key tracks: “Sustainability and Marketing” and “Design and Production”. The aim is to elevate the status of Saudi handicrafts, ensuring they can thrive in both local and international markets.

Another programme is the “Lens and Craft” competition, which invites photographers and filmmakers to creatively document the beauty of Saudi handicrafts through visual storytelling. The competition will generate short films that highlight artisans’ techniques and the cultural significance of their crafts, amplifying the reach and appreciation of these traditions on social media platforms.

Meanwhile one of the most inspiring examples of Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage is “Madrasat Addeera” in AlUla, which plays a pivotal role in the “Years of Handicrafts” rollout by conducting an array of specialised programs and workshops scheduled throughout the year.

Formerly a girls’ school, this historic building has been revitalised and now stands at the heart of Al Jadidah, AlUla’s emerging Arts District. It is home to a new arts and design centre focused on teaching regional crafts through a variety of workshops and collaborative projects. The school plays a crucial role in preserving and advancing Saudi Arabia's arts and crafts heritage, offering specialised training programs for local girls. These programs empower participants to connect with their ancestral crafts while adapting them for the modern world. Through workshops such as pottery, weaving, and carpet making, “Madrasat Addeera” not only helps sustain local traditions but also contributes to the local economy by fostering sustainable, viable projects.

The centre's first initiative, “Madrasat Addeera Editions”, curated by Spanish contemporary design expert and creative director Samer Yamani, presented a collection of limited-edition statement pieces created by renowned Saudi and international designers. Drawing inspiration from the enchanting landscape of AlUla, the works were showcased at Paris Design Week and subsequently Milan Design Week. Illustrating the potential of fusing local heritage with contemporary design, proving that traditional crafts can evolve to meet the demands of modern innovation.

Yamani expressed, “Crafts possess the extraordinary ability to encapsulate the multifaceted essence of a region. Not just materials, and techniques but also traditions, beliefs, identity and the profound values of a community.” He goes on to describe how this universal truth finds expression in AlUla, where art and design serve as vivid reflections of the region’s distinctive heritage and scenography. “These collections unveil the captivating elements of the AlUla landscape through a myriad of stories and narratives. The local materials and innovative techniques were carefully selected to be aligned with AlUla’s sociocultural influences that have deeply shaped the local communities spanning from ancestral pasts to the most exciting futures.”

Therefore, in 2025, the Ministry of Culture will continue to spotlight the significance of Saudi handicrafts, ensuring these art forms remain central to the Kingdom’s national identity. By fostering collaboration across public, private, and non-profit sectors, the initiative aims not only to preserve Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage but also to inspire the creation of sustainable, innovative crafts. Through a series of events, competitions, educational programs, and partnerships, the "Year of Handicrafts" celebrates the richness of Saudi Arabia's cultural history while looking toward the future. his landmark year honours the Kingdom's crafts, artisans, and enduring cultural legacy, while fuelling creativity, pride, and economic growth.