Ithra Launches Khoos Initiative To Innovate And Celebrate Palm Weaving Craft

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, has introduced the Khoos Initiative. This cultural project celebrates the traditional craft of palm weaving, or khoos, by connecting artisans and communities in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region with global audiences and creatives. The initiative aims to present palm weaving as a living heritage and a source of future innovation.

Palm weaving is one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest crafts, where dried palm fronds are crafted into baskets, mats, and other items. It represents cultural memory and creativity passed down through generations. The Khoos Initiative highlights this craft, especially in Al-Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where it remains integral to daily life.

On October 9, Ithra will celebrate the Khoos Initiative by launching the "Baseqat" exhibition and screening a documentary titled "Sa’afa." This exhibition will run until March 2026, offering visitors insights into the culture and environmental heritage of date palms. It will feature contemporary works by Saudi and international artists.

The program includes a residency from October 3 to 14 in Al-Ahsa and Ithra. Artists from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Korea, Chile, and Bahrain will collaborate with local weavers. They will exchange knowledge and explore innovative frameworks while preserving traditional methods.

Noura Alzamil, Head of Programs at Ithra, stated that the Khoos Initiative supports efforts to integrate heritage crafts into contemporary practice. It creates opportunities for artists and designers to collaborate globally while fostering sustainable approaches in the craft sector.

Workshops and public programs will invite audiences to engage directly with palm weaving as a living tradition passed down through generations. These activities aim to strengthen cultural ecosystems and contribute to global cultural exchange in heritage, creativity, and design.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, new commissions are planned for November 2025 in collaboration with the Heritage Commission. The initiative will also be announced during Ithra’s participation in UNESCO Mondiacult 2025 in Barcelona through a panel on intangible cultural heritage.

Ithra plans to present the Khoos Initiative at the ICOM General Conference in Dubai this November. This presentation aims to broaden discussions on crafts as systems of knowledge that sustain community continuity and cultural heritage.

With inputs from SPA