RIYADH: The National Handicrafts Program (Bari) and the Turquoise Mountain Foundation (TMF) of the UK’s Prince Charles have entered an agreement to expand handicraft production and improve artisans’ skills.
Bari is a flagship program of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), promoting handicrafts in the Kingdom by supporting local artisans.
“In the presence of SCTH President Prince Sultan bin Salman, the commission represented by Bari concluded a work program with the TMF, a non-profit organization of Prince Charles, to expand the production of handicraft pieces, improve artisans’ levels and qualify them to manage and market their production,” the SCTH media department said on Thursday.
The foundation will produce more than 4,000 pieces of handicrafts manufactured by Saudi artisans that reflect the cultural identity of the Kingdom.
Faisal Al-Khamis, general supervisor of the program, said that signing the work program with TMF will train artisans to produce distinctive products with rewarding economic returns, and at the same time work on expanding the base and diversity of high-quality products in addition to enhancing tourism routes for a sustainable economic industry.
He said that Bari was working on the design of a feasibility study for a Saudi Academy for Crafts, which will integrate Saudi heritage designs with technical training.
Al-Khamis expressed his appreciation to the SCTH president for his support of crafts and craftspeople.
The main objectives of the program are to build a skilled professional group that can produce products at the local and global level, expand the base of product diversity and quality, as well as the economic and tourism diversification of a sustainable economic industry, in addition to the expansion of craft creativity centers.
The work program will document the process through additional manuals and procedures for the professional restoration of historical houses and mosques that reflect heritage and Islamic identity.
Bari last year organized a skills-based training program for the development of female artisans in Riyadh in partnership with TMF.
The art and craft training focused on the development of Al-Kharazah craft techniques and trainees had the opportunity to learn new techniques.
Bari and TMF had earlier signed an agreement to promote handicrafts in the Kingdom by supporting local artisans through training provided by the foundation.
The agreement was aimed at creating professional and scientific exchange for students, teachers and artisans between the TMF and Bari, as well as promoting mutual cooperation for the development of heritage villages in the Kingdom.
TMF was founded in 2006 at the initiative of Prince Charles with the aim of preserving and regenerating historic areas and communities with a rich cultural heritage, as well as reviving traditional arts and crafts, to create jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride.
Saudi National Handicrafts Program, Turquoise Mountain Foundation agreement to support artisans
Saudi National Handicrafts Program, Turquoise Mountain Foundation agreement to support artisans
