Dhahran – December 31, 2025 | BETH

In a year that celebrated craftsmanship as a language of memory and an extension of identity, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) – an initiative of Saudi Aramco – continued to strengthen its position as a leading cultural platform through an integrated ecosystem of initiatives. Throughout the year, Ithra delivered more than 25 programs and events, with the participation of over 100 male and female artists.

These initiatives contributed to reinterpreting handicrafts as a contemporary cultural practice that evolves through experimentation and engages with modern artistic production, within a holistic trajectory that connected heritage with its social contexts and reinforced its presence in the contemporary cultural scene.

Seven Art Exhibitions

Within this framework, Ithra presented seven art exhibitions, four of which were launched in 2025, featuring the participation of more than 100 artists from inside and outside the Kingdom. The exhibitions explored craftsmanship as a deeply rooted aesthetic and cultural practice.

The exhibition “Eternal Crafts: The Art of Manuscripts” offered an immersive experience in Islamic illumination, featuring eight specialized artisans in paper-making, calligraphy, and gilding, through workshops that combined knowledge-sharing with hands-on practice.

Meanwhile, “Eternal Crafts: The Social Fabric” presented a contemporary reading of weaving, highlighting its high level of skill and collective inherited craftsmanship as a living heritage that continues to evolve over time.

In the same context, “Dialogue of Crafts: Where Traditional Art Meets Contemporary Art” – launched in 2024 and extended until mid-2025 – served as an artistic platform exploring the intersection between traditional crafts and contemporary artistic practices. The exhibition showcased works by ten contemporary artists who reimagined traditional crafts through innovative creative approaches, alongside selected historical Islamic artworks from Ithra’s collection, creating a visual dialogue reflecting the continuity and transformation of craft.

The exhibition “Extension: Traditional Fashion in Saudi Arabia” shed light on the Kingdom’s traditional attire and jewelry, revealing the craftsmanship behind their design and production, and reflecting the cultural diversity across Saudi regions.

Additionally, “Horizons in Their Hands” offered a visual and narrative experience highlighting the relationship between craft and art through the voices of women. Fifty Arab female artists shared their stories through works that reinterpreted the past with a modern artistic spirit, drawing from selected collections of the Barjeel Art Foundation and Ithra, connecting Arab creativity with the modernist movement that emerged over half a century ago.

The exhibition “In Praise of the Artisan Artist” represented a central milestone, bringing together contemporary works commissioned from master artisans, showcasing the evolution of Islamic crafts and highlighting their historical centers as bridges connecting time, place, and knowledge.

Meanwhile, “Al-Basiqat” explored the creative potential of palm trees, from palm frond weaving and paper-making to textile techniques, linking craftsmanship with the local environment and revealing nature’s richness and capacity for transformation.

Artist Residencies and Visual Production

As part of deepening the artistic approach to crafts, Ithra launched the “Khoos” artist residency program, involving ten local and international artists. The initiative created a collaborative space for artisans, designers, and artists to explore new visions of palm heritage, rooted in tradition yet guided by a forward-looking perspective that merged heritage with innovation.

This approach was further translated into visual storytelling through the documentary film “Sa’fa (Palm Frond)”, offering a contemplative visual and narrative exploration of palm weaving as a practice that transcends the tangible, opening windows into memory and identity.

International Participation

On the international front, Ithra expanded its global presence through strategic partnerships, including the launch of “Manifestations of Faith (Inspired by Islamic Art)” in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain. The exhibition presented a contemporary reading of handicrafts in Islamic art through a curated selection of artisanal works reflecting the diversity of Islamic artistic and architectural elements.

From London to Dubai, Ithra strengthened its visibility through participation in the ICOM Pavilion in Dubai, showcasing three flagship projects: Khoos, In Praise of the Artisan Artist, and Hijrah: In the Footsteps of the Prophet, demonstrating its ability to connect tangible heritage with contemporary creative expression.

In Barcelona, Ithra participated in Mondiacult 2025, hosting a session on intangible cultural heritage from the perspectives of artists and artisans, contributing to the global dialogue on handicrafts and cultural legacy.

Programs and Dialogue Sessions

Handicraft heritage formed a core theme across several cultural programs, most notably the Ithra Summer Camp, held under the theme “Small Hands, Big Ideas”, offering children an interactive educational experience that nurtured curiosity and introduced them to the diversity of local heritage.

In addition, in-depth dialogue sessions were held as part of “Authenticity of Craft: A Journey Through Saudi Heritage”, bringing together artisans, researchers, and authors who documented the history of handicrafts. These sessions concluded with guided tours through craft exhibitions, allowing audiences to engage closely with their artistic details and cultural contexts.

The “Bright Angles” program also played a significant role, with sessions exploring the stories of crafts, their evolution through the ages, and their contribution to improving quality of life, while emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional crafts as an authentic cultural legacy passed down through generations.

A Sustainable Cultural Commitment

Ithra affirmed that 2025 witnessed extensive activation of the Year of Handicrafts across its programs and exhibitions, providing meaningful platforms for artisans to share their expertise with visitors, in line with its commitment to safeguarding this heritage and reinforcing its role as an integral part of national identity and cultural legacy.

About Ithra

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative of Saudi Aramco, is a multidimensional cultural and creative destination that offers exceptional visitor experiences and fosters positive social impact. Officially opened in 2018 in Dhahran, Ithra houses a diverse range of facilities including a library, theater, museum, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit, and Ithra Tower, positioning it as a global cultural landmark that promotes creativity, sustainability, and knowledge exchange.