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RIYADH: Many young people in ������Ƶ are embracing traditional crafts through a number of training programs and workshops that link cultural identity with modern opportunity.

Hammad Al-Shammari, a young craftsman specializing in mud construction, said his journey began during the excavation of a historic home.

“There, I felt the value of old buildings, with their decorations, columns, and authentic architectural features,” he told Arab News recently.

“From that moment, my passion for restoring traditional homes was born.”

Al-Shammari went on to specialize in mud construction at the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, or Wrth, where he trained in structural and restoration techniques.

“Wrth has been the greatest blessing in my journey,” he said. “It helped me develop my craft skills both practically and academically … I learned how to connect heritage identity with contemporary innovation.”

Wrth focuses on strengthening national identity through traditional arts. The organization trains young Saudis, honors master craftspeople, preserves both tangible and intangible heritage and raises awareness at home and abroad.

Al-Shammari said architecture reflects the Kingdom’s cultural richness.

“Each region has its own unique features, from the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri decorations of the south, to Hijazi plasterwork, Najdi mud-and-wood architecture, to the beauty of the eastern buildings that still retain their charm.”

“The greatest challenge was reviving old memories and practices within a modern society in a unique and high-quality way. I overcame this through patience, curiosity, and by learning from the experiences of elders and those with long practice,” he added.

Mamdouh Al-Harbi, an urban heritage researcher, highlighted the importance of passing on skills.

“Knowledge transfer is the lifeline of heritage crafts, without it, these practices risk becoming static artifacts in museums rather than living traditions,” he said.

He noted that in the past, crafts were family-based livelihoods, passed from parents to children. Industrialization and urban growth, however, caused many practices to decline.

Today, Vision 2030 and new legislation have reversed the trend.

“Traditional crafts have transformed from endangered practices into a promising creative sector that links national identity with economic development,” Al-Harbi said.

He added that youth engagement now reflects creativity and entrepreneurship. Modern technologies such as 3D printing and virtual reality are being introduced into training programs, while heritage motifs are finding their way into public buildings.

“Showcasing youth success stories that turn crafts into entrepreneurial projects reshapes public perception,” he said.

He added: “Heritage crafts will only remain attractive to youth if they are freed from rigidity and reimagined as spaces of contemporary creativity.

“Today’s generation, raised in an era of technology, engages with crafts not as repetitive traditional skills but as opportunities for experimentation, innovation, and a renewed connection to identity.”

Heritage crafts are also creating career pathways. Graduates can work in restoration projects, museums, and cultural festivals, or establish businesses in heritage-inspired decor, fashion, and tourism.

Among the more specialized crafts is manuscript-making, where young artisans learn skills that date back centuries.

Faisal Al-Jarallah, a young craftsman specializing in manuscripts, said his passion developed unexpectedly.

“Honestly, at first it wasn’t passion that led me to this field. I was assigned to work in the manuscripts department against my will. I feared it and saw it as a burden. But now, I have become passionate about it,” he said.

He described the process as “the art of making books by hand … preparing paper, creating inks from natural materials, calligraphy, gilding, ornamentation, and binding.”

He noted that ������Ƶ holds 27 percent of the manuscripts in the Islamic world, calling it “a heavy responsibility that requires proper preservation.”

He added that the Kingdom is now moving “from preservation to presentation.”

National programs, he added, have been instrumental. “I believe the movement and competitiveness created by national initiatives are the real drivers of creativity in the field of crafts.

“Initiatives like the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, Wrth, have played a major role in shaping this cultural scene and supporting artisans,” he said.

He described manuscripts as “a repository of diverse knowledge and sciences,” and said traditional crafts remain powerful symbols of identity.

“When a young person learns the craft of their ancestors, they not only acquire a manual skill but also connect with their roots, fostering a sense of belonging and pride,” he added.

RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, in partnership with the National Center for Privatization & PPP, and Qiddiya Investment Company, has launched the registration phase for companies and entities vying to implement the first phase of the Qiddiya high-speed rail project, under a public-private partnership model.

“The RCRC, in collaboration with Qiddiya Investment Company and the National Center for Privatization & PPP, announces the start of the Expression of Interest phase for the construction of the Qiddiya high-speed rail project,” the RCRC said on its official account on X.

“The Qiddiya high speed rail aims to strengthen vital transport links across Riyadh, by providing a high-speed rail connection between King Salman International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District and Qiddiya City in less than 30 minutes,” it said in another post on X.

“With speeds of up to 250 km/h, it will serve as a central mode of the capital’s modern transport network, enhancing the travel experience, and facilitating access to Riyadh’s key destinations,” it added.

It will be a major component of Riyadh’s transportation system, complementing the city’s newly launched public transport network and offering an integrated urban mobility experience.

Welcoming the announcement, Thamr Alotaibi, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: “Glad to know that RCRC has invited bids for the Qiddiya high speed rail. It will certainly start a new era of smart mobility in the capital. Aiming to connect major landmarks — King Salman International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District and Qiddiya City within 30 minutes, through a super-fast rail line with a top speed of 250 km per hour, it will make commuting easier, traffic free, faster and smarter.”

The initiative reflects RCRC’s strategy, in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization & PPP and Qiddiya Investment Company, to establish strategic partnerships with the private sector to expand Riyadh’s transport infrastructure.

It also aims to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors while promoting sustainable urban growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 focuses on transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics hub by developing advanced transport infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and promoting private-sector investment, with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy serving as the primary guide for achieving these goals.

NTLS is considered the main guide to develop the strategies of transport modes and logistic services and provide effective governance between transport modes to facilitate the connection and engagement between them.

Specialized companies and interested investors are invited to submit registration applications by Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, via email at [email protected].