JEDDAH: Seventy male and female craftsmen from all over the Kingdom are taking part in the craft contest at the Souq Okaz in its 12th edition.
Dr. Faisal Al-Khamis, general supervisor of the National Program of Crafts and Handicrafts (Bari’) said the “Okaz prize for innovation and creativity in handcrafts” is worth SR300,000 ($80,000) and includes eight categories.
The contest aims to encourage men and women artisans to introduce their works and take them to new horizons, renewing the innovation in the field that Saudi Arabia is proud of.
Al-Khamis indicated that the arbitration criteria this year reflect the artisans’ distinction.
Eight associations and centers are participating in the Bari’ show for artisans.
The criteria this year focuses on four elements: Authenticity, innovation, distinction and the product’s economy and advertising. The arbitration committee is formed of five of the best local and international judges in different fields. The contest is divided into eight 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, manufacturing of innovative handcrafts and heritage traditional works.
70 artisans feature handicrafts at Saudi Arabia’s Souq Okaz fest
70 artisans feature handicrafts at Saudi Arabia’s Souq Okaz fest
- The contest aims to encourage men and women artisans to introduce their works and take them to new horizons
- The criteria this year focuses on four elements: Authenticity, innovation, distinction and the product’s economy and advertising
What makes the Taif Rose such a precious fragrance product?
- These farms produce nearly 550 million roses annually, all harvested during a brief season of no more than 45 days, from early March to the end of April
TAIF: Taif roses, renowned for their exceptional aroma and the meticulous care required in cultivation, harvesting, and processing, are among the Kingdom’s most valuable natural perfume products and stand out as prominent agricultural and cultural symbols deeply connected to the region’s heritage and tourism.
Taif rose farms, numbering over 910 and spread across Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Wahat, Al-Wahit, and Wadi Liya, are home to approximately 1,144,000 rose bushes covering about 270 hectares of agricultural land.
FASTFACT
Taif rose farms, numbering over 910 and spread across Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Wahat, Al-Wahit, and Wadi Liya, are home to approximately 1,144,000 rose bushes covering about 270 hectares of agricultural land.
These farms produce nearly 550 million roses annually, all harvested during a brief season of no more than 45 days, from early March to the end of April.
This harvest yields around 20,000 tolas of Taif rose oil. Producing a single tola requires approximately 12,000 roses, which are picked manually at dawn and distilled within 24 hours to preserve the purity and quality of the scent before reaching the market.
