RIYADH: Inside the Jordanian pavilion at the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, known as Banan, artisan Yazan Eid from Aqaba demonstrates his craft as visitors watch him transform graded sand into paintings inside glass bottles with precise skill.
The event, organized in Riyadh by the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission and running until Nov. 26, features more than 400 artisans from over 40 countries.
Banan coincides with the Year of Handicrafts 2025 and is part of a national effort to support and empower artisans economically and culturally, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
With 15 years of experience, Eid began this art as a hobby before opening his store in Aqaba. This is his first participation in the event, following previous exhibitions in Europe.
Eid can write names in sand inside a bottle in just five to 10 minutes. Larger pieces take one to two hours due to their intricate detail. His primary material is silica sand, one of the finest types in Jordan.
