JEDDAH: Artisans participating in the 12th edition of Souq Okaz are competing for an innovation award worth SR300,000 ($80,000), sponsored by the National Handicrafts program “Bari.”
The award is divided into these categories: Manufacturing of palm products, sadu (spinning and weaving of goat and sheep wool), manual carpeting, crochet and embroidery, manufacturing and carving of wood products, drawing or carving or hand-decorating any natural material and other innovative products.
Seventy-six men and women artisans from all over the Kingdom are participating in the competition, in addition to the participation of three countries — the UAE, Egypt and Oman — with 15 female and male artisans (five from each country). There are four female and male artisans participating in gypsum art, palm products, accessories, drawing and carving.
This is the second edition of Souk Okaz since King Salman gave the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) the responsibility of organizing the event in coordination with executive bodies in the Makkah region and Taif.