UAE Showcases Contemporary Emirati Craft at Moscow Interior and Design Week

Photography: Courtesy of WAM

Moscow, May 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The United Arab Emirates is participating with a national pavilion for the first time at Moscow Interior and Design Week, which opened on Thursday at the Central Exhibition Hall (Manège) and will run through May 25. The event features over 1,100 Russian and international companies specializing in furniture and interior design.

The UAE pavilion, supported by the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, highlights a modern reinterpretation of Emirati craft traditions through innovative design pieces. Exhibits include handcrafted objects by Emirati craftswomen alongside contemporary items such as lamps, clay and Murano glass vessels, painted steel chairs, and fruit baskets crafted from treated plant-based leather.

Reem BinKaram, Director of the Irthi Council, delivered a keynote address during a panel titled “Reinvesting in Heritage,” where she emphasized the Council’s role in empowering women through vocational training and promoting traditional crafts in international markets.

“We’ve helped transform heritage crafts into globally recognized commercial ventures, creating sustainable livelihoods and elevating the profile of Emirati craftsmanship,” BinKaram said, citing participation in events such as Design Miami, the London Design Festival, and Milan Design Week.

This year’s exhibition includes 45 companies and designers from 15 countries, including China and the UAE—both of which are participating with national pavilions. Themed around nature-inspired interior design, the sixth edition of the event explores sustainable practices and the fusion of tradition with contemporary aesthetics.