Milan – The Saudi national pavilion concluded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the “Artigiano in Fiera” exhibition in Milan, Italy, with a distinguished presence that embodied the richness of Saudi culture, the diversity of its heritage and creativity, on one of the world’s largest platforms specializing in handicrafts and traditional arts.
The participation came through a unified national pavilion under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, and included a number of national cultural and tourism entities. The pavilion provided its visitors with the opportunity to learn about the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, its cultural vitality, and its historical depth, in addition to highlighting it as an attractive cultural and tourist destination.
The pavilion featured participants from 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 Governorate, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Saudi Crafts Company. More than 140 Saudi artisans, chefs, folk performing arts groups, musicians, and Saudi coffee servers also participated.
The pavilion highlighted the “Year of Handicrafts 2025” initiative launched earlier this year by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, through a dedicated handicrafts section that allowed visitors to learn about Saudi crafts and their cultural significance. Twenty-five artisans from across the Kingdom participated, showcasing and selling their products, such as bisht tailoring, agal (headband) making, rosary making, incense burner production, and Sadu weaving. Twenty students from the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (WRTH) also displayed their handicrafts, including Asiri Qatt (a traditional Saudi art form), traditional pottery, hand embroidery, and woodwork. The Saudi Handicrafts Company presented a selection of its distinctive handmade products.
Visitors were warmly welcomed with authentic Saudi hospitality by traditional coffee servers before touring the various sections of the pavilion. They explored traditional food products such as dates and date derivatives, Saudi coffee beans, and popular dishes prepared by Saudi chefs who shared their own recipes. Visitors also enjoyed live cooking demonstrations and artistic performances by two Saudi folk dance troupes.
The Kingdom’s participation in the “Artigiano in Fiera” exhibition is an extension of its previous participations, confirming its commitment to promoting cultural exchange and civilizational dialogue, and sharing the diversity of its heritage and creativity with the global public, reflecting the role of culture as a bridge for understanding and cooperation between peoples.
