AL-EDABI: A popular Saudi honey festival has been providing a sweet taste of business success for local family enterprises.
Fifty producers of traditional handicraft products have been getting a buzz out of showcasing their wares at the fifth Jazan Honey Festival, taking place in Al-Edabi’s cultural center.
And so popular have their products been with visitors, that for many participants the event has proved a profitable experience.
Sulaiman bin Yahya Al-Ghazwani, the festival’s executive director, said that the aim of giving families the opportunity to exhibit was to help them develop their capabilities and talents, while providing a marketing platform for the promotion of their products.
He added that by highlighting local handicrafts, the festival was looking to encourage entrepreneurship and assist in the process of achieving sustainable economic development in communities.
Al-Ghazwani noted that many festivalgoers had praised the high quality of the craft items produced by the participating families and some had suggested a permanent location be provided for these families to sell their goods.
Families taking part in the honey festival thanked organizers for the chance to display their products and said the experience had encouraged them to drive their ventures forward.
Items on show included textiles, embroidery, incense and perfumes, calligraphy art, henna engraving, and accessories, in addition to traditional cuisine, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The festival aims to represent the character of the region along with its professions and traditional handicrafts.
Enterprising families get buzz from business boon at Saudi honey festival
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Enterprising families get buzz from business boon at Saudi honey festival
- Al-Ghazwani noted that many festivalgoers had praised the high quality of the craft items produced by the participating families and some had suggested a permanent location be provided for these families to sell their goods
UNESCO honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as thousands flock to Al-Ahsa festival
RIYADH: The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of local and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in Al-Hofuf.
Running until Feb. 7 at the historic palace, the event features a bisht exhibition, a rare bisht gallery, a handicrafts zone and workshops led by skilled artisans.
The festival showcases a convergence of cultures, with international pavilions highlighting the global appeal of this authentic Saudi heritage.
The bisht’s allure has drawn international visitors eager to explore Al-Ahsa’s rich history and traditional crafts.
Tourists enthusiastically don the traditional robe, admiring its royal designs. Many participate in workshops with master artisans, learning the intricate art of Zari embroidery.
Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families.
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.
With UNESCO’s participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.
At the heart of the festival is the story of the “Golden Threads” (Al-Zari), intricate gold-plated silver threads that define the bisht’s character and prestige.
Visitors can discover them in the Golden Threads VIP Area, where they can watch master artisans demonstrate the full bisht-making process at the Host’s Majlis, offering insight into Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old craftsmanship.
