RIYADH: The National Handicraft Development Program “Bari” has organized a training program for female artisans in Riyadh to learn more about designing and pricing their craft products.
Bari, a flagship program of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) with the mandate to promote handicrafts in the Kingdom by supporting local artisans, organized a skill-based training program for developing the capacity of female artisans in Riyadh in partnership with the Turquoise Mountain Foundation (TMF), a non-profit, non-governmental organization run under the patronage of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.
Majed Al-Sheddi, director general of media relations at the SCTH, told Arab News on Monday that the art and craft training mainly focused on the development of Al-Kharazah craft techniques and the trainees got the opportunity to learn some new techniques in this area. The trainees also learned the methods of product designing and product pricing with regard to quotations for a handicraft product.
The training program was executed by the TMF, he said. Notably, the Bari and the TMF had earlier signed an agreement to promote handicrafts in the Kingdom by supporting local artisans through the skill-based training to be provided by trainers from the foundation.
The cooperation agreement aimed at producing more handicrafts to be sold inside and outside the Kingdom, was signed at Al Ula during Prince Charles’ visit to the Kingdom in 2015.
The agreement aims to spur professional and scientific exchange for students, teachers and artisans between the TMF and Bari, as well as promoting mutual cooperation for the development of some of the heritage villages in the Kingdom.
As per the agreement, the two sides can select the targeted crafts for development in the Kingdom, providing required technical and professional support to a selected group of artisans, developing a number of profitable craft products for the retail market as souvenirs for hotels as well as establishing an exhibition to display live models of Islamic art, traditions and crafts.
TMF was founded in 2006 at the initiative of Prince Charles with the aim of preserving and regenerating historic areas and communities with a rich cultural heritage as well as reviving traditional arts and crafts, to create jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride.
Saudi National Handicraft Development Program organizes training program to develop capacity of female artisans
Saudi National Handicraft Development Program organizes training program to develop capacity of female artisans
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.
One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.
Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.
The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
