The Hail region emirate concluded, yesterday, January 11, 2025, the events of the "Herfa 2025" festival, held at the historic Qishlah Palace under the patronage of the Emir of Hail region, coinciding with the launch of the Year of Handicrafts.

The festival drew a turnout of more than 91,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia and abroad, including visitors from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Gulf countries. It showcased a unique array of the handicrafts for which Hail city and its governorates are known, reflecting the region's rich cultural and civilizational heritage.

Varied Events in a Heritage Setting

The festival featured a wide range of authentic handicrafts, including:

  • Sadu weaving and palm-frond crafts.
  • Incense burner-making, traditional doors and clay building.
  • Wood carving.
  • Leatherwork and embroidered bags.
  • Stone carving and gemstone decoration.
  • Reviving Thamudic inscriptions on women's abayas.

The events also included live demonstrations by more than 130 craftsmen and craftswomen, along with training tracks aimed at teaching handicrafts and passing skills on to a new generation.

Awareness Programs and Economic Support for Craftspeople

Several government bodies, including the Hail Region Development Authority and the Heritage Commission, alongside the region's municipality and the branch of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, launched awareness programs to strengthen the role of handicrafts in the local economy.
The programs included:

  • Raising awareness of the importance of empowering craftspeople.
  • Highlighting support efforts for producing and marketing handicrafts.
  • Contributing to higher financial returns for craftspeople and improving the quality of their products.

A Mix of Cultural Creativity and Entertainment

Over seven days, the festival presented artistic and cultural performances blending handicrafts with folk heritage, classic car displays, and heritage-styled restaurants and cafés set up as attractive tourist spots.

Volunteers' Role in the Festival's Success

More than 100 volunteers helped organize the festival and ensure a smooth experience for visitors, reflecting the spirit of community cooperation behind the success of major cultural events.

A Bright Future for Handicrafts

The festival aims to reinforce the standing of handicrafts as part of the Kingdom's cultural heritage and to contribute to Saudi Vision 2030 by supporting the creative economy and innovation.