A guest views a puppet at the China Pavilion of the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025. The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) opened Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. China, this year's guest of honor, has set up a special pavilion decorated in vibrant red, featuring a wide range of Chinese intangible cultural heritage projects, including traditional lacquerware, fan-making craft, and the batik fabrics technique. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
RIYADH, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) opened Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
China, this year's guest of honor, has set up a special pavilion decorated in vibrant red, featuring a wide range of Chinese intangible cultural heritage projects, including traditional lacquerware, fan-making craft, and the batik fabrics technique.
Organized by the Saudi Heritage Commission, this annual event gathers over 400 artisans from more than 40 countries to foster global exchanges and mutual learning in handicrafts. The exhibition will run through Nov. 26.
The China Pavilion, organized by the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum (CTCM), features a main exhibition of over 1,000 exquisite handicrafts and a live demonstration zone where 20 intangible cultural heritage inheritors showcase their skills.
The Chinese delegation will stage daily performances at the fair's central area, featuring traditional arts like the Anhui Flower Drum Lantern Dance, Guangdong Awakening Lion Dance, and Northern Sichuan large Puppet Theatre.
Wang Chenyang, head of CTCM, said this year marks both the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia and the China-Saudi Cultural Year. China's participation as the guest of honor at the event carries special significance, Wang said.
"Through this exhibition, we hope more Saudi visitors can experience the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture up close," he said.
"We are honored to have China as the guest of honor at this year's Banan and delighted to see Chinese artisans bring such exquisite and distinctive works," said Dalia Al-Yahya, director of the Handicrafts Sector at the Saudi Heritage Commission.
She added that Chinese and Saudi artisans will present their works and exchange expertise to foster cultural learning and collaborative development at the event. ■
People visit the China Pavilion of the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025.
The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) opened Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
China, this year's guest of honor, has set up a special pavilion decorated in vibrant red, featuring a wide range of Chinese intangible cultural heritage projects, including traditional lacquerware, fan-making craft, and the batik fabrics technique. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
A man visits the China Pavilion of the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025.
The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) opened Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
China, this year's guest of honor, has set up a special pavilion decorated in vibrant red, featuring a wide range of Chinese intangible cultural heritage projects, including traditional lacquerware, fan-making craft, and the batik fabrics technique. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
A Chinese actor performs at the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025.
The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) opened Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
China, this year's guest of honor, has set up a special pavilion decorated in vibrant red, featuring a wide range of Chinese intangible cultural heritage projects, including traditional lacquerware, fan-making craft, and the batik fabrics technique. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Visitors watch a performance at the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025.
The third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) opened Thursday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
China, this year's guest of honor, has set up a special pavilion decorated in vibrant red, featuring a wide range of Chinese intangible cultural heritage projects, including traditional lacquerware, fan-making craft, and the batik fabrics technique. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
