by: Rana Azeem: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Saudi Heritage Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, has announced the return of Saudi International Handicrafts Week, titled “Banan” exhibition, set to take place November 23 to 29, 2024. Building on the success of its inaugural edition launched in 2023, the highly anticipated event will bring together 500 artisans from over 20 countries and celebrate handcrafts, often passed down through generations.
The week-long event will feature a diverse array of exhibits, workshops and live demonstrations, offering visitors an immersive experience into the world of traditional Saudi handcrafts. Artisans from across the Kingdom and international participants from countries such as Greece, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom and France will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge, highlighting their traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, woodwork and jewlery making.
Dr. Jasir Al-Harbash, CEO of the Saudi Heritage Commission said: “Banan is more than an exhibition, it is a celebration of heritage and highlights artisans’ dedication of preserving their craft, often passed down through generations. We look forward to honoring the talents of Saudi and international artisans and fostering cultural exchange through the legacies they keep alive.”
The event will feature interactive experiences through technology, textiles exhibition, and the Crafts Arts Village with installations that carries the traditional handcrafts into a modern vision. Completed with cafés and restaurants serving the Kingdom’s most-loved dishes and a kids’ area that is well-prepared to introduce them to the world of crafts, the exhibition encourages everyone to engage with these vibrant traditions.
Banan is expected to attract visitors from across the Kingdom as well as international handcraft enthusiasts and experts alike. The event is an opportunity to elevate cultural preservation and innovation, while fostering cultural exchange among participating countries and their handcraft heritage.
