ALKHOBAR: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has launched an ambitious cultural program to transform a centuries-old Saudi craft into a driver for art, design, and innovation.
Ithra has unveiled the Khoos Initiative, which is designed to preserve the traditional craft of palm weaving.
Anchored in Al-Ahsa, home to the world’s largest date palm oasis and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the initiative blends heritage with innovation, positioning Saudi palm weaving as a platform for global creativity.
Palm weaving, or khoos, has long been associated with daily life in Saudi Arabia, and produces baskets, mats, and functional household objects. Ithra’s initiative reframes the tradition for the 21st century.
Ala’a Al-Qahtani, creative programs specialist at Ithra, said: “The Khoos Initiative was launched to reimagine palm weaving through the lens of contemporary craft, moving it beyond functional objects into new expressions in art, design, fashion, and architecture.
