JEDDAH: “The Originality of the Past and the Genuineness of the Present” is the title of a three-day traditional handicrafts exhibition to be held at Jeddah Hilton starting Sunday.
More than 100 Saudi families are to participate in the event, which will be attended by many princesses and businesswomen. The participants will display their creativity in traditional handicrafts and industries. In addition, 30 Saudi women designers will showcase their latest productions.
Haifa Naji, CEO of the Dignity and Refinement Group for Exhibitions and Conferences, which is organizing the exhibition in conjunction with the Women First Welfare Society in Jeddah, said this is the first show of its kind to bring so many Saudi women designers under one roof.
Naji thanked Princess Abtah bint Muqrin for sponsoring the exhibition and for supporting Saudi women. “The exhibition is aimed at boosting our heritage, uplifting our artistic creativity and highlighting the traditional costumes of the Kingdom’s various regions,” she said.
She added that dresses worn by brides from the Kingdom’s different regions on the Laylat Al-Henna or the Night of Henna (the night before weddings when brides are decorated with henna) would also be put on display.
Nasreen Al-Idreesi, director of the Welfare Society, said Ramadan tents would be erected in the hotel’s lobby with participating designers given pavilions to showcase their designs. “The tents would be decorated in a traditional way by famous designer Salwa Abu Shuwaiah,” she added.
Al-Idreesi said Rania Khoqair, a specialist in Saudi heritage, would be hosting an exhibit featuring different ways the Henna Night is celebrated in various regions of the Kingdom. She said different regional cuisines for such occasions would also be showcased.
Al-Idreesi said the exhibition would put on public display the latest fashion designs, accessories, foodstuffs, sweets, crystal and silver ware and other household items.
“A part of the proceeds will go to orphans and children with special needs as well as poor families,” she added.
