Qassim artisans preserve palm wicker heritage

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The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. (SPA)
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The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. (SPA)
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The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. (SPA)
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The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. (SPA)
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Updated 25 August 2025
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Qassim artisans preserve palm wicker heritage

  • Art, passed down through generations, continues to thrive as artisans blend rich cultural heritage with creativity at the Buraidah Dates Carnival
  • Palm wicker industry dates back to ancient times, originally serving essential household needs

RIYADH: The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. This art, passed down through generations, continues to thrive as artisans blend rich cultural heritage with creativity at the Buraidah Dates Carnival.

Craftswoman Umm Abdullah demonstrated the intricate process of palm wicker weaving, beginning with soaking and drying the fronds before skillfully crafting them into a range of products, including baskets, mats, and dining mats.

She explained that the abundance of palm trees in Qassim has made the craft a vital source of income for families working in the cottage industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Umm Abdullah said that palm frond collectibles are in high demand due to their cultural significance and cherished connection to heritage.

The palm wicker industry dates back to ancient times, originally serving essential household needs. Over time, development and innovation have diversified its products and designs, solidifying its position as an authentic craft.


Lolo Zouai takes to Berlin’s Colors platform

Updated 03 March 2026
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Lolo Zouai takes to Berlin’s Colors platform

DUBAI: French Algerian singer Lolo Zouai took to the Berlin-based music platform Colors this week, delivering a live performance of her latest single “Desert Rose PT.II.”

The appearance comes as the track climbed to No. 1 on Algeria’s R&B chart within 24 hours of its release. A sequel to “Desert Rose” from her 2019 debut album “High Highs to Low Lows,” the new single features lyrics in Arabic, French and English, reflecting the cross-cultural influences that shape her sound.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lolo Zouaï (@lolozouai)

Zouai marked the achievement on Instagram, sharing a series of posts including a photo of herself wearing an Algeria football jersey, alongside the single’s cover art and a screenshot showing its chart ranking. 

“Grateful for the love on this one. Can’t wait for you to hear the studio version and the rest of ‘Reverie’,” she wrote.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by COLORS (@colorsxstudios)

She also reposted a collage of fan reactions, including a TikTok video that read: “It’s 2026 and we still haven’t had another song like ‘Desert Rose’ out.” Others said: “Can’t wait for Desert Rose pt. 2” and “wdym desert rose pt. 2?!?!?!”

The single forms part of her upcoming third studio album, “Reveries,” due for release on April 24. She announced the date last month alongside the music video for “Holding On,” another track from the project.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by COLORS (@colorsxstudios)

Blending R&B with dance-pop elements, “Holding On” delves into themes of grief and memory. The video is dedicated to Zouai’s close friend, Hanna Rosa Hotchkiss, who died in 2021.

In a statement on Instagram, Zouai described the album as the product of a transformative period in her life: “This record was made through three years of grief, growth, and reflection. I had to lose myself to find myself again. I couldn’t have done it without my angel, Hanna. Thank you to my collaborators, my friends, and my Lo-riders who held me down through it all. I hope it heals you the way it healed me.”

Known for her blend of R&B, club-pop and hip-hop, Zouai has gained an international fan base for her dynamic stage presence and genre-blending music.

Zouai’s last release was in November, when she dropped a new single titled “3AM in San Francisco.”