Wrth At World Defense Show 2026: Traditional Saudi Arts In Defence Partnerships

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) is using the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh to showcase traditional Saudi arts within a defence setting. Wrth presents a public workshop and a decorated defence vehicle, demonstrating how cultural expression appears alongside military technology and reaches both local and international visitors.

Wrth is working through two joint projects with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of National Guard. These collaborations highlight traditional Saudi arts as a visual language of national identity. They also show how artistic heritage operates with modern industries, while keeping close links to the Kingdom’s cultural values and symbolism.

The World Defense Show 2026 is taking place in Riyadh from February 8 to 12. The General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) is organising the event. Government bodies and major national and international companies from the five defence sectors are gathering there, creating a platform for technology, services, and cultural initiatives.

As part of the Ministry of Interior partnership, Wrth is running a live, interactive workshop for visitors. Participants follow structured steps and specific materials to create a traditional incense burner, or mabkhara, using rammed earth. The activity builds on earlier joint programmes that support traditional arts and introduce them through practical, engaging learning experiences.

The mabkhara focus also explains its cultural meaning in Saudi Arabia, where the incense burner is seen as a sign of generosity and hospitality. Presenting this object in a defence exhibition offers an accessible entry point into Saudi traditions for different audiences, while linking everyday cultural practices with national events and official institutions.

The Ministry of National Guard project confirms the role of traditional arts within the military field. A defence vehicle is covered with motifs inspired by Najdi doors, aligning with the World Defense Show identity and the idea of "defense integration." This approach turns familiar symbols into a contemporary visual language that presents Saudi identity in an unconventional defence context.

With inputs from SPA