Milan – The Saudi National Pavilion concluded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the “Artigiano in Fiera” exhibition in Milan, Italy, marking a distinguished presence that highlighted Saudi culture, heritage, and creativity on one of the world’s largest platforms dedicated to handicrafts and traditional arts.
The participation featured a wide range of national cultural and tourism entities within a unified Saudi pavilion overseen by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The pavilion offered visitors an immersive introduction to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, vibrant cultural expressions, and deep-rooted history, while showcasing the Kingdom as a compelling cultural and tourism destination.
Participating entities included the Heritage Commission, the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the Culinary Arts Commission, and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (WRTH), alongside the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Saudi Crafts Company. The pavilion also hosted more than 140 Saudi participants, including artisans, chefs, traditional performing arts groups, musicians, and Saudi coffee presenters.
Through this global platform, the pavilion highlighted the “Year of the Handicrafts 2025” initiative launched by the Saudi Ministry of Culture earlier this year. A dedicated handicrafts section allowed visitors to explore Saudi traditional crafts and their cultural significance. Twenty-five artisans from across the Kingdom showcased and sold crafts such as bisht tailoring, agal weaving, rosary making, incense burner crafting, and Sadu weaving. In addition, 20 artisan students from the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (WRTH) presented handcrafted works including Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, traditional pottery, hand embroidery, and woodcraft. The Saudi Crafts Company also showcased a selection of its finest handmade products.
Visitors were welcomed with authentic Saudi hospitality led by Saudi coffee presenters before touring the pavilion’s various sections. Guests explored traditional culinary offerings such as dates and their derivatives, Saudi coffee beans, and signature dishes prepared by Saudi chefs who shared their own recipes. Live cooking demonstrations and performances by two Saudi traditional performing arts ensembles further enriched the visitor experience.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in “Artigiano in Fiera” builds on its previous appearances at the exhibition, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to cultural exchange and dialogue. Through this participation, Saudi Arabia continues to share the diversity of its heritage and creativity with international audiences, underscoring culture’s role as a bridge for understanding and collaboration among nations.
