2025 named ‘Year of Handicrafts’ to showcase Saudi artisan talents worldwide

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The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy. (SPA)
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The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy. (SPA)
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The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy. (SPA)
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The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy. (SPA)
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Updated 18 September 2024
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2025 named ‘Year of Handicrafts’ to showcase Saudi artisan talents worldwide

  • Ministry of Culture aims to elevate traditional crafts and empower artisans through national celebration

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Culture has announced 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” recognizing the cultural and artistic significance of this tradition in Saudi society.

The initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to celebrate Saudi artisans’ creativity and showcase their talents globally.

Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan expressed appreciation for the Cabinet’s decision and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Saudi cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Badr said: “At the Ministry of Culture, we work to instill pride in the national identity and all the tangible and intangible cultural elements associated with it.

“This is one of the goals of the National Cultural Strategy under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, which places national identity and Saudi culture among its ambitious objectives.”

The “Year of Handicrafts” will serve as a platform to honor this essential component of national identity, celebrating its cultural and artistic value.

Prince Badr added: “Saudi handicrafts reflect the creativity of Saudi society through weaving, handmade artifacts and artistic innovations passed down through generations.

“Among these are pottery, traditional clothing, ceramic utensils, leatherwork, copperwork, tailoring, dyeing, blacksmithing, gold and jewelry crafting, and other handmade creations by Saudi artisans.”

The Ministry of Culture aims to elevate Saudi handicrafts locally and internationally, empowering artisans and boosting their contribution to the economy.

This will be achieved through events organized with partners to highlight the cultural, historical and economic importance of handicrafts.

Since 2020, the ministry has celebrated an annual “cultural year” to honor key elements of Saudi culture.

The “Year of Arabic Calligraphy” was celebrated in 2020 and extended into 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kingdom celebrated 2022 as the “Year of Saudi Coffee,” 2023 as the “Year of Arabic Poetry,” and 2024 is the “Year of the Camel.”

The “Year of Handicrafts” in 2025 promises to celebrate the artistry and heritage that form the core of Saudi identity, ensuring that this invaluable legacy is preserved and shared globally.


Saudi crown prince discusses Israeli attack on Iran with British, Turkish leaders

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 12 min 36 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince discusses Israeli attack on Iran with British, Turkish leaders

  • Prince Mohammed and Starmer discussed latest developments in the region and the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the repercussions of Israel’s military operations against Iran with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone call on Saturday.

The call comes a day after Israel launched a blistering surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing a number of top generals. The two countries continued to trade blows on Saturday.

Prince Mohammed and Starmer discussed the latest developments in the region and the importance of exerting all efforts to de-escalate and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Later on Saturday, Prince Mohammed spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders reviewed developments in the region following Israeli strikes on Iran, SPA said. 

 


Saudi FM receives German counterpart in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Riyadh on Saturday. (SPA)
Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi FM receives German counterpart in Riyadh

  • During the meeting, the officials reviewed relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Riyadh on Saturday. 

During the meeting, the officials reviewed relations between their countries and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields.

They also discussed regional and international developments and their implications on the security and stability of the region.


Saudi FM, US envoy to Syria discuss latest developments during phone call

Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi FM, US envoy to Syria discuss latest developments during phone call

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, both diplomats discussed discussed measures to support the Syrian people on both humanitarian and economic levels.

Their talks also focused on the latest regional and international updates.


Saudi Arabia arrests 9,639 illegals in one week

Updated 14 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia arrests 9,639 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 9,639 people in one week for breaching residency, work, and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Of those, 5,625 were arrested for residency violations, 2,797 for attempting to cross the border illegally, and 1,217 for labor-related offenses.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom — including providing transportation or shelter — could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SR1 million ($266,000), and the confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported by calling 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, or 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


King Salman orders Saudi officials to aid stranded Iranian Hajj pilgrims

Updated 14 June 2025
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King Salman orders Saudi officials to aid stranded Iranian Hajj pilgrims

  • Directive issued after authorities in Tehran close their airspace following attack by Israel said to have targeted Iranian nuclear sites, nuclear scientists and military chiefs
  • Plan for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to provide help to the stranded pilgrims presented to the king by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: King Salman on Friday ordered Saudi authorities to ensure that Iranian Hajj pilgrims stranded in the Kingdom receive all necessary support until it is safe for them to return home.

The directive came shortly after Israeli authorities launched early-morning airstrikes against Iran, which they said targeted nuclear sites, nuclear scientists and military chiefs. Tehran closed the country’s airspace in the aftermath.

The plan to provide help to stranded Iranian pilgrims was presented to the king by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has been tasked with ensuring they receive all necessary support.

The annual pilgrimage, a key pillar of Islam that all Muslims are required to complete at least once during their lives if physically and financially able, concluded on Monday. Tens of thousands of Iranians visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj each year. More than 1.6 million pilgrims from all over the world took part this year and authorities described it as a success.

Iran retaliated to the Israeli attack later on Friday by targeting Tel Aviv with missiles, raising fears of prolonged and more-dangerous exchanges of fire.