Al-Ahsa Municipality has wrapped up a three-day forum for member cities of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, drawing 42 creative cities from around the world in the field of crafts and folk art. The event was held in cooperation with Al-Ahsa Governorate, the Al-Ahsa Development Authority, the Heritage Commission, the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and under the patronage of the Abdulmohsen Al-Rashed Humanitarian Foundation.

Year of Handicrafts: Honoring Saudi Creativity

Al-Ahsa's hosting of this global event coincided with the Kingdom's designation of 2025 as the "Year of Handicrafts," reflecting Saudi Arabia's leading role in showcasing the value of traditional crafts and creative industries and elevating the standing of Saudi artisans on the international stage.

Al-Ahsa: A Global Model in Craft Creativity

Al-Ahsa is the first Gulf city, and the third in the Arab world, to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts and folk art, and it currently serves as deputy chair of the Creative Cities gathering, reflecting its continuous efforts to preserve heritage, develop handicrafts and strengthen international cooperation with creative cities around the world.

Workshops and Field Visits to Foster Cultural Exchange

The forum included dialogue workshops and international presentations on the development of crafts and arts, along with field visits to some of Al-Ahsa's most prominent heritage landmarks, including the historic Qaisariah Market, the Artisans' Market and House, and the FabLab run by the Abdulmohsen Al-Rashed Foundation. Participants also toured heritage events such as the Processed Dates Festival and the Mafan Handicrafts Festival.