MILAN: The Saudi national pavilion has concluded its participation at Milan’s Artigiano in Fiera, one of the world’s leading exhibitions dedicated to handicrafts and traditional arts.

Organized under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, the pavilion brought together several Saudi cultural and tourist entities to present the Kingdom’s heritage, creativity and living traditions to an international audience, while positioning Saudi Arabia as a growing cultural and tourist destination. 

Participating entities included the Heritage Commission, the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Saudi Artisanal Company.

More than 140 Saudi participants took part, including artisans, chefs, and traditional performing arts groups and musicians, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The pavilion placed particular emphasis on the Ministry of Culture’s Year of the Handicrafts initiative of 2025. A dedicated section showcased Saudi handicrafts and their cultural significance, with 25 artisans demonstrating traditional crafts such as bisht tailoring, agal weaving, rosary making, incense burner crafting, and Sadu weaving.

Students from Wrth also took part, with 20 artisan trainees presenting their work, which included Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, traditional pottery, hand embroidery, and woodcraft.

The Saudi Artisanal Company displayed a selection of its handmade products, highlighting the quality and diversity of contemporary Saudi craftsmanship rooted in tradition. 

Hospitality formed a central part of the pavilion’s offering, with presenters welcoming visitors with coffee and guiding them through the various sections.

Guests explored traditional culinary products such as dates and their derivatives, Saudi coffee, and signature dishes prepared by Saudi chefs, who shared recipes and hosted live cooking demonstrations. 

The pavilion’s program was complemented by performances from two Saudi traditional performing arts groups. 

Saudi Arabia’s participation in Artigiano in Fiera builds on its previous appearances at the exhibition and reflects the Kingdom’s broader commitment to cultural exchange.

By sharing its crafts, cuisine and performing arts on a global platform, Saudi Arabia continues to use culture as a means of dialogue, reinforcing its role as an active contributor to the international cultural landscape.