Saudi Arabia to celebrate "Year of Handicrafts" in 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has declared 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts” to showcase its rich cultural heritage. Throughout the year, the Saudi Ministry of Culture will organize various events, exhibitions, workshops, and competitions to highlight the importance of traditional crafts.

The aim of these activities is to celebrate the role of handicrafts in Saudi Arabia culture and history while ensuring their relevance in today’s world. By focusing on different craft areas, the goal is to inspire people to value and preserve traditional arts.

Handicrafts have always been a significant part of Saudi Arabia’s culture, passed down through generations. These crafts demonstrate the creativity and skill of Saudi artisans and reflect the country’s resilience and diverse culture.

Traditional crafts such as palm weaving, metalworking, and pottery are key symbols of Saudi culture, blending old traditions with modern times. These art forms not only represent creativity but also tell the story of the country’s history and values.

The “Year of Handicrafts” hopes to inspire younger generations to connect with their cultural roots and showcase the talent of Saudi artisans to the world.

This initiative also aims to support artisans by creating opportunities to market their crafts and connect with global audiences. By collaborating with the government, businesses, and non-profit groups, the “Year of Handicrafts” will encourage sustainable practices, foster new ideas, and contribute to global cultural discussions.

The “Year of Handicrafts” reflects the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to preserving Saudi Arabia’s heritage and celebrating the stories, skills, and traditions that form the heart of the Kingdom’s cultural identity.

Earlier, the Trump Organization plans to build a Trump Tower in the Saudi capital Riyadh as part of a real estate expansion in the region including in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi, Eric Trump, the US president-elect’s son told Reuters.

Outlining two new projects in Riyadh in partnership with Dubai-based luxury developer Dar Global, The Trump Organization executive vice president declined to give details.

“What I’ll tell you is one of them will definitely be a tower,” Trump said in an interview, adding that his company plans to further expand its partnership with Dar Global across the Gulf region including a new project in Abu Dhabi.

“We’ll probably be in Abu Dhabi in the next year or so,” Trump said, a day after the two companies unveiled plans for a glittering gold Trump Tower in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah.

London-listed Dar Global’s chief executive said the other new joint project planned in Riyadh is a Trump Golf community similar to one launched in Oman in 2022.

“We’re hoping to do one tower and one golf community,” Ziad El Chaar told Reuters in an interview.

Dar Global, the international arm of Saudi Arabia’s Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company, has agreed a number of deals with The Trump Organization, including plans for Trump towers in Jeddah and Dubai, along with the Oman project.

The two organizations did not indicate the value of the projects, but El Chaar compared the value to the $530 million Trump Tower in Jeddah and the Trump Golf community in Oman, which he said cost around $2.66 billion.

Donald Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states during his first term, including Saudi Arabia, which has invested $2 billion in a firm belonging to Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former aide, incorporated after Trump left office.

Other close Trump allies also maintained close business ties in the Gulf since he left office in 2021.