Makkah, 16 Rajab 1447 AH (5 January 2026)

Saudi craftswomen have made a striking impression at Atareek Global Village, one of the main stops of the Makkah Winter programme, offering an inspiring model that combines creativity with the preservation of heritage in a cultural and economic experience that reflects the empowerment of Saudi women and their growing role in the cultural and tourism scenes.

Atareek Global Village opened in Makkah's Al-Naseem district as an integrated cultural and tourism platform, with heritage pavilions representing a number of Arab and international countries alongside Saudi pavilions spotlighting the Kingdom's rich national heritage and authentic handicrafts, drawing families, residents and tourists into a lively entertainment atmosphere.

At the heart of the village, the Saudi pavilion stood out with craftswomen presenting a varied collection of heritage pieces, traditional garments and decorated fabrics that reflect the diversity of the Kingdom's regions and cultural environments, demonstrating Saudi women's ability to preserve and develop craft with a contemporary spirit.

Through interactive corners and live workshops, the craftswomen engaged with visitors and explained weaving, embroidery, knitting and fabric handwork techniques, showcasing skills passed down through generations and production methods that preserve the authenticity of the craft while giving it a modern economic dimension.

Participation in Atareek gave the craftswomen a real opportunity to strengthen self-marketing, widen their customer base and earn direct income that supported their small businesses and productive families, a practical model linking culture with the economy and contributing to community sustainability.

The craftswomen's participation is part of wider efforts to promote sustainable community tourism in the Kingdom by showcasing local products and empowering small and medium enterprises, in line with Vision 2030's goals of supporting culture, diversifying the economy, empowering women and energising non-traditional sectors.

The craftswomen's pavilion drew large crowds who admired the stories of women's creativity and how local culture is reflected in unique handmade products, reinforcing the image of Saudi women as active and influential contributors to national cultural and economic development.