RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has lauded the cabinet’s decision to declare 2025 the “Year of Handicrafts”, recognizing the important cultural value handicrafts have had in Saudi culture for many years, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The move highlights the creativity that sets the exclusive handicraft industry apart and showcases the talent of Saudi craftsmen to the international community, the SPA reported. Prince Badr also expressed gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unwavering support for arts and culture. Their patronage, he added, has elevated Saudi culture, solidified its roots and unique elements, and enabled the entire world to see the best of it.
The Minister said that at the Ministry of Culture, they are working to instill pride in their national identity and all its associated cultural elements, whether intangible and tangible. This is one of the goals of the National Culture Strategy, under Saudi Vision 2030, which has prioritized national identity and Saudi culture as goals.
He said that the Year of Handicrafts initiative will help celebrate this essential component of highly significant cultural and artistic value that is the basis of national identity.
He said that Saudi handicrafts show the creativity of Saudi society, encompasses handicrafts, textiles, and artistic creations that have been passed down from generation to generation. These also include clothing, pottery, copper products, beadwork, dyeing, blacksmithing, sewing, gold and jewelry making.”
During the “Year of Handicrafts”, the Ministry of Culture will also work to increase the visibility of Saudi handicrafts both at local and international level, and enable Saudi artisans to show their creations at events and activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the world over.
The step also aims to increase the contribution of Saudi handicrafts to the local economy and to increase awareness regarding their historical, cultural, civilizational, and economic significance.
