The International Handicrafts Forum kicks off in Al-Jawf: Details and objectives of the event

Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, the Al-Jawf region witnessed a prominent cultural and heritage event: the inauguration of the “International Handicrafts Forum” by His Royal Highness Prince Mutaib bin Mishaal bin Badr bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Al-Jawf. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Maha bint Abdullah Al-Sinan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture for Research and Cultural Heritage, reflecting the government’s growing interest in the heritage sector as a fundamental pillar of national identity.

Al-Jawf: A historical cradle of human heritage

The selection of Al-Jawf region to host this global event is not arbitrary; the region is one of the oldest human settlements in the Arabian Peninsula and boasts a rich heritage spanning thousands of years. Historically, Al-Jawf is renowned as a crossroads of ancient trade routes, making it a melting pot of diverse cultures that produced unique handicrafts, most notably Sadu weaving and traditional textiles, as well as agricultural products such as olive oil. The forum aims to highlight this historical depth, revive these arts, and present them to the world in a modern way befitting the Kingdom's stature.

Strategic partnership to serve national heritage

This important event is being organized through fruitful cooperation and strategic integration between the Ministry of Culture and the Heritage Commission, with the active participation of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (WITH). The Al-Jawf Cultural Center in Sakaka is hosting the forum's activities over two days. This gathering represents a vital platform that brings together local expertise and international experiences in the field of traditional arts, thus enhancing opportunities for knowledge transfer and the exchange of experiences between Saudi artisans and their global counterparts.

Year of Crafts 2025: A Comprehensive Cultural Context

This forum is part of the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiative, an ambitious national program that aims to celebrate the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Kingdom. This initiative is particularly significant as it comes at a time of unprecedented cultural activity in the Kingdom, with stakeholders striving to document and protect traditional crafts from extinction. These crafts stand as living witnesses to the history and development of humankind in the Arabian Peninsula throughout the ages, and are an integral part of the national memory.

Forum objectives: From local to global

The forum's role is not limited to museum displays; rather, it fundamentally aims to achieve a number of strategic objectives:

• Consolidating identity: Strengthening the position of traditional crafts and industries as a fundamental pillar of Saudi national identity.
• International Communication: Creating sustainable communication channels between Saudi craftsmen and their counterparts from various countries around the world to exchange experiences and modern production techniques.
• Sustainability and integration: Integrating handicrafts into the daily life of Saudi society, transforming them from mere heritage pieces for display into products with functional and aesthetic value that are usable and marketable.

Diverse activities and support for innovation

The forum's scientific program is rich and diverse, featuring a distinguished group of researchers, specialists, and artisans from both within the Kingdom and abroad. The events include:

• Scientific and discussion sessions: Discussing the latest global trends in developing traditional crafts and ways to sustain and legally protect them.
• Scientific Poster Exhibition: Showcasing the most prominent academic research and studies related to the sector and heritage documentation.
• Craftsmen's Exhibition: A space dedicated to showcasing the creativity of craftsmen and their innovative products that blend authenticity and modernity.
• Training workshops: These aim to refine the skills of the participants and transfer craft knowledge to new generations to ensure its continuity.

Economic impact and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

The handicrafts sector represents one of the promising economic pillars emphasized by the Kingdom's Vision 2030. By empowering artisans and transforming their hobbies into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the sector directly contributes to boosting cultural tourism and increasing non-oil GDP. The forum discusses ways to enhance the economic presence of artisans and support innovation in traditional industries to ensure their competitiveness in local and international markets, thus underscoring that heritage is not merely a recounted past, but a sustainable economic and cultural resource for the future.