JEDDAH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, has instructed authorities to raise the value of Souk Okaz Prize for the best handicraft from SR 150,000 to SR 350,000. Majed Al-Sheddi, director of media center at SCTA, commended the prince’s gesture and said it would encourage Saudi artisans. “Such gestures will encourage more Saudi nationals to work in the handicrafts sector,” he added.
About 160 artisans have so far registered their names to win the prestigious prize, Al-Sheddi said, adding that nominations would be accepted until Aug. 31 in five categories: weaving, making traditional dresses, wooden work, palm-leaf products, and ornaments. “An applicant should display at least 100 pieces at Souk Okaz and the earning from the work should go to him/her,” Al-Sheddi said, while explaining the conditions for the contest. The work should be an innovative one and should not have been presented for any other competition, he added. Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal recently announced winners of Souk Okaz prizes in 12 categories. Rowdah Alhaj Othman of Sudan won the prize for the best poet of the year. She will receive a cash prize of SR 300,000 and an overcoat. About 35 poets from Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen, Oman, Sudan and Mauritania had contested for the prize.
