MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission recently launched a “Books for Everyone” initiative to promote reading in society.
The initiative aims to make literature, particularly of the literary type, accessible in several ways, including through vending machines.
The first book-vending machine was activated at Riyadh North Railway Station recently in the presence of senior officials.
Mohammed Hasan Alwan, CEO of the commission, told Arab News that the initiative aims to make literary content more accessible, to offset media accessed online.
“We are trying to make knowledge products available through book-vending machines, to change the traditional view toward reading, especially for the new generation,” said Alwan.
The commission aims to expand the “Books for Everyone” initiative across the Kingdom.
He said the commission also plans to promote reading through book fairs and various forums, including the Tarjem initiative to support Arabic content.
Other initiatives include the Riyadh International Philosophy Conference, the Literary Partner Initiative, Digital Publishing Program, and the “Literature Everywhere” project.
Saudi commission initiative aims to make literature ‘more accessible’
https://arab.news/8kgtf
Saudi commission initiative aims to make literature ‘more accessible’
- First book-vending machine ready at Riyadh railway station
- Aim to promote literary works among nation’s young people
Crochet is more than a hobby for Saudi women
- Younger makers are rediscovering heritage through patience, skill and design
Byline: RIYADH
Across Saudi Arabia, a revival is unfolding as young people rediscover crafts traditionally associated with older generations and give them new life.
Among these crafts, crochet has emerged as a symbol of creativity and continuity. For many artisans, each stitch carries memory, identity, and emotional connection.
For Harayer Al-Shammari, founder of Orchid Crochet (@Orchid_657 on Snapchat), crochet is a family legacy. Her first memories of the craft are of her late mother weaving intricate designs. “I was only 11, quietly watching her work,” she told Arab News. “One day she asked, ‘Do you want me to teach you?’ Of course, I said yes.”
What began as imitation became inheritance. “I love it and I am passionate about everything within the realm of crochet,” she said.
Al-Shammari noted that the craft seems to be growing in popularity again. “There is more interest now, especially among young girls,” she said.
In our fast-paced, digitally-connected world, crochet has also become a form of mindfulness. Each piece requires patience, from two hours for smaller pieces to as long as four days for handmade dolls. For many creators, crochet offers a counterbalance to constant online engagement.
“It gives me peace and enjoyment,” said Ghadi, the artist behind Ghadi Crochet (@Ghadicro1 on Snapchat). “It helps me make good use of my time instead of wasting it.”
But the online world also benefits today’s makers. “I started selling my work because I wanted people to see the art I create,” Al-Shammari said. Social media enabled her to attract attention to her work.
Today, crochet’s most active spaces are often digital. Al-Shammari shares her creations online, drawing inspiration from YouTube tutorials and connecting with followers across multiple platforms.
“It’s helped me a lot,” she said. “I get ideas, share my pieces, and even meet students who want to learn.”
Ghadi also credits digital platforms for her growth. “People’s comments and positive feedback on Instagram and TikTok make me want to improve.”
As the handmade market expands, others are following similar paths. For makers like Ghadi, encouragement from family turned passion into a small business, demonstrating how heritage and entrepreneurship can coexist. What was once a solitary activity is now a shared language.
Al-Shammari’s designs, ranging from table covers and dolls to teapot cozies and floral pieces, often reflect patterns inspired by Saudi homes and traditions. Younger makers like Ghadi tend toward minimalist styles but share the same emphasis on individuality.
Their work attracts customers who value handmade detail and customization, turning simple threads into personal expressions. Crochet is not purely decorative; it is expressive.
Running a small creative business comes with challenges. “Delivery is the hardest part,” Ghadi said. “It’s limited to my city or nearby areas.”
Still, her optimism mirrors that of others across the Kingdom who find strength in doing what they love.
Al-Shammari focuses her energy not only on production but on empowering others.
“I taught a two-week crochet course at an orphanage,” she said. “A few days later, the director told me some girls wanted to continue learning, so I taught them online.”
Crochet in Saudi Arabia has transformed from a domestic art to a living symbol of resilience and reinvention.
Each creation, whether stitched in a family home or streamed on social media, tells a shared story; one of women weaving their past into their future, loop by loop.
-ENDS-
