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RIYADH: Silver handicrafts continue to highlight the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural diversity, reflecting elegance, luxury, and the unique artistic craftsmanship of Saudi artisans.

The craft of silver jewelry holds deep historical significance, and the designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts” has renewed interest among young women and artisans, turning traditional silverwork into a modern fashion trend.

This includes learning the skills to shape, refine, and transform silver into appealing consumer products such as anklets, bracelets, rings, and necklace sets.

Silver-crafting specialist Maher Al-Awlaki noted that silver continues to attract strong demand across the Kingdom, particularly from visitors seeking traditional pieces that reflect Saudi heritage.

Silver crafting is a prominent traditional craft practiced by both men and women, and it often overlaps with gold and copper work. However, silver remains the most widely used and visually appealing material in jewelry making.

Maher Al-Awlaki

“Silver crafting is a prominent traditional craft practiced by both men and women, and it often overlaps with gold and copper work. However, silver remains the most widely used and visually appealing material in jewelry making,” he said.

Young Saudi women are increasingly selecting silver accessories for weddings and national celebrations due to their distinctive and attractive appearance compared to contemporary jewelry, according to Al-Awlaki.

In conjunction with the “Year of Handicrafts 2025,” Al-Awlaki reports that numerous Saudi women have begun mastering silver craftsmanship through specialized training programs.

Leveraging their creativity, these artisans have successfully launched businesses to showcase their handcrafted pieces, which have been met with remarkable consumer interest.

The traditional craft has evolved with modern techniques, Al-Awlaki explained.

Artisans now employ machinery instead of manual methods, use gas flames rather than coal for soldering, and utilize prepared wax molds.

These innovations have streamlined production, allowing craftspeople to create multiple pieces efficiently while maintaining consistent sizing and design quality without the extensive time and effort previously required.

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in collaboration with the Equestrian Authority has launched an Arabic glossary of equestrian terms.

The resource targets enthusiasts and individuals interested in equestrianism and horses, aligning with the academy’s strategic goals to develop specialized glossaries that support the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, a key component of Saudi Vision 2030.

Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the academy's secretary-general, highlighted its role as Saudi Arabia’s primary Arabic language reference, with its glossary development efforts serving key sectors.

He said the significant cultural importance of equestrianism in the Kingdom had led to the development of the glossary, which includes terms for competitions, participation, horse descriptions, Arabian breed distinctions, colors, and ages.

The dictionary is an authoritative reference work, with a complete vocabulary of horsemanship.

Scholars and enthusiasts can readily access precise information, while the dictionary also serves the vital purpose of cultural preservation. By recording the rich terminology Arab horsemen have employed throughout history, the resource ensures that traditional equestrian knowledge and linguistic heritage will endure for generations to come, he added.

The academy’s objectives for the dictionary include bolstering academic research in Arabic linguistics and history by offering rich equestrian terminology, enhancing digital and print Arabic content with thorough horsemanship information, and establishing collaboration with the Equestrian Authority to continuously update the reference work with new definitions reflecting evolving needs in the field.

The initiative aligns with the academy’s broader mission to safeguard the integrity and identity of the Arabic language through various linguistic programs.

The organization continues to support Arabic in both spoken and written forms while facilitating Arabic language education within Saudi Arabia and internationally.