Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahsa hosts third Al Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival at Ibrahim Palace

SPA

Al-Ahsa, Jan 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of the Eastern Region, inaugurated the third edition of the Al Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival in Al-Ahsa on Wednesday, held under the patronage of Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.

Organised by the Heritage Commission, the festival will run for 11 days at Ibrahim Palace in Al-Ahsa, with organisers positioning it as a platform to support artisans and keep traditional bisht-making skills visible to new audiences.

During a tour of the festival site, the deputy governor met bisht merchants from several countries and visited workshops led by the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), alongside a children’s area designed to introduce younger visitors to the craft.

The festival is open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and includes cultural programming such as theatrical performances and interactive experiences focused on the bisht, including opportunities for visitors to try it on and learn guidance on colour choices and wearing etiquette.

This year’s edition is being billed as the first national celebration of the bisht since UNESCO included it in December 2025 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, according to organisers.

SPA