Handicrafts Award 2025: Documenting Heritage and Envisioning the Future
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented cultural movement coinciding with the declaration of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, a move reflecting a deep governmental commitment to preserving national identity. At the heart of this movement stands the “Handicrafts Award” within the fifth edition of the “National Cultural Awards 2025” initiative, marking a significant turning point in the approach to heritage by shifting the focus from simply celebrating the final product to appreciating the intellectual and research-based foundations upon which this sector is built.
A knowledge system that transcends traditional practice
Handicrafts are no longer viewed merely as manual skills or tourist products, but are now recognized as a comprehensive body of knowledge. The establishment of this award reinforces this understanding, highlighting the efforts of researchers and authors dedicated to documenting and studying these crafts. The sustainability of this heritage requires recording oral traditions, preserving manuscripts, studying records of old markets, and analyzing raw materials and production tools—all of which the award aims to encourage to ensure that this knowledge does not disappear with the passing of its practitioners.
Heritage in light of Saudi Vision 2030
This award derives its significance from its close alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which has established culture as a cornerstone of quality of life and economic diversification. Handicrafts are an integral part of the "creative economy," and their development requires a robust scientific database that enables designers and entrepreneurs to draw inspiration from heritage and present it in contemporary forms that can compete globally. Therefore, supporting authorship and research in this field is a long-term investment that paves the way for transforming crafts from inherited hobbies into cultural industries with added economic value.
Expected impact: between documentation and development
The award is expected to generate significant academic and research activity, encouraging universities and research centers to prioritize traditional crafts in their academic pursuits. This approach will help bridge the knowledge gap, as the continuity of crafts is not achieved through mere repetition, but rather through a deep understanding of their origins and historical development. Providing documented scholarly resources will equip future generations with the necessary tools to innovate in this field, ensuring that traditional crafts remain vibrant and relevant, and continue to represent Saudi cultural identity on the international stage.
