Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province, and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa, inaugurated the third edition of the Al-Ahsa Bisht Festival. This prominent cultural event, organized by the Heritage Commission, is being held at the historic Ibrahim Palace in Al-Ahsa Governorate and will run for 11 days, beginning January 28th. It has garnered wide international participation and significant interest from those interested in heritage and handicrafts.
Al-Ahsa: The capital of handicrafts and authentic heritage
The holding of this festival in Al-Ahsa Governorate affirms its rich historical standing as one of the most important centers of heritage in the Kingdom and the region. Al-Ahsa is world-renowned for its bisht (traditional men's cloak) industry, a craft passed down through generations for centuries. The festival is not merely a celebratory event; it represents a strategic platform for bolstering the cultural economy and supporting local artisans, thus contributing to the sustainability of this traditional craft and protecting it from extinction. The Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province emphasized that the festival embodies the value of national heritage as a vital element of the Kingdom's cultural identity, highlighting Al-Ahsa's profound civilization, which makes it an ideal destination for such events with both local and international dimensions.
Images of the kings and the crown prince adorn the “Bisht Journey”
During his tour of the festival grounds, His Royal Highness the Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province visited the “Bisht Journey” hall, one of the festival's most prominent attractions. There, he viewed an exhibition of rare and historical photographs depicting the Kings of Saudi Arabia wearing the Al-Ahsa bisht, beginning with the founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud (may God have mercy on him), and continuing with his sons, Kings Saud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahd, and Abdullah (may God have mercy on them). The exhibition also included photographs of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, reflecting the wise leadership's interest in and pride in this authentic heritage as a symbol of prestige and national identity. His Royal Highness also observed the precision and craftsmanship of the founder's bisht, a unique example of the quality for which Al-Ahsa has been renowned since ancient times.
Broad international participation and diverse cultural events
The third edition of the festival is distinguished by its regional reach, with His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz meeting with a number of prominent bisht merchants from neighboring countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. The festival features diverse pavilions, including one for the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (WORTH), which offers specialized training workshops, and another for “Beit Al-Daffa,” showcasing traditional women’s abayas. The festival also pays special attention to children through the “Little Master” corner, which aims to instill a love of heritage in children, introduce them to the etiquette of wearing and crafting bishts, and provide immersive experiences that transport visitors to the rich atmosphere of the past.
Global recognition and international acclaim for Saudi heritage
The organization of this festival comes within the framework of the Heritage Commission's ongoing efforts to celebrate the Kingdom's cultural heritage, and in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen national identity. This event is the first national celebration of the Al-Ahsa bisht following UNESCO's inscription of it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, an achievement that reflects the global value of this heritage. The festival offers its visitors daily from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM a rich program of theatrical performances and traditional folk arts such as the Ardah, Samri, and Khumari, in addition to interactive workshops that allow the public to learn about the different types of bishts, their materials, rarest colors, and the formal protocols for wearing them.
