Riyadh: The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, known as Banan, is a prominent cultural platform celebrating handicrafts both locally and internationally. This event aligns with a broader strategy to revive traditional crafts, present them in a contemporary form that reflects the Kingdom's cultural identity, and support the growing creative economy.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the exhibition is organized as part of the Year of Handicrafts 2025 and reaffirms efforts to highlight this sector. It aims to empower practitioners and provide a space for artisans from across the Kingdom and the world to exchange experiences and a wealth of expertise.
This year, Banan features extensive international participation, showcasing artistic heritage and craft-making traditions from countries including Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Trkiye, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, the Maldives, Bulgaria, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Georgia, Austria, Hungary, Albania, Finland, Croatia, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Chile, Mexico, the US, Australia, Nigeria, Comoros, and China, the event's guest of honor.
China's expanded presence is a reflection of its cultural significance, with its pavilion presenting a wide range of traditional Chinese handicrafts and offering visitors a distinctive artistic experience.
This international diversity allows visitors to explore various schools of craftsmanship, discover models that blend heritage with innovation, and create new opportunities for cultural interaction and knowledge exchange among artisans.