Al-Ahsa is hosting the UNESCO Global Creative Cities Network Forum 2025, bringing together 42 creative cities from around the globe to celebrate their excellence in handicrafts and folk arts, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The forum was launched on Wednesday, under the patronage of the Governor of Al-Ahsa, Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr. It is organized by the Al-Ahsa Municipality, in collaboration with Al-Ahsa Governorate, the Al-Ahsa Development Authority, and the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
Creative Cities Forum 2025
Running for three days, the Creative Cities Forum 2025 gathers representatives of creative cities from across the world, as well as several government entities representatives and craftspeople.
The forum features workshops and meetings to exchange expertise, in addition to cultural field trips that brief participants on Al-Ahsa’s efforts and contributions to preserve handicrafts and folk arts. The field tours include destinations such as Al-Qaisariyah Souq, the artisans market, and other heritage sites.
Al-Ahsa Creative City
The opening ceremony featured folk arts performances and a documentary displaying Al-Ahsa traditional handicraft heritage. Furthermore, it witnessed the signing of a twinning agreement between Al-Ahsa Creative City from Saudi Arabia and Madaba Creative City from Jordan.
On this occasion, Prince Saud bin Talal said that the integrated efforts of Al-Ahsa Creative City has significantly contributed to achieving key objectives that integrate education with cultural and creative activities, with the aim of enhancing the sustainability of handicrafts and folk arts.
This has enabled Al-Ahsa to share its expertise with in preserving handicrafts and folk arts with other creative cities around the world through numerous international meetings and forums.
Showcasing Al-Ahsa Heritage
Moreover, Prince Saud bin Talal highlighted Al-Ahsa’s rich cultural heritage and long-standing craftsmanship which placed it among the world’s top creative cities.
In the light of this, he noted that Al-Ahsa is the first Gulf city and the third Arab city in the global creative network, as well as the vice president of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Arts.
The UNESCO Global Creative Cities Network Forum for handicrafts and folk arts coincides with Saudi Arabia’s designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, to celebrate its unique cultural value and showcase the creativity of Saudi artisans to the world.
