OSAKA — The Saudi Cultural Week officially launched in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday, celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the event will run through July 15 at the Expo 2025 Osaka site. The weeklong celebration highlights the Kingdom's rich heritage and growing creative industries, placing special focus on the 2025 Year of Handicrafts initiative. The program introduces Japanese and international audiences to traditional Saudi crafts, artisanal demonstrations, and a photography exhibition chronicling the history of Saudi-Japanese relations. Participating entities include the Heritage Commission, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wirath), the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy, King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah), and Harf Saudi Company. Together, they present a vibrant schedule of live cultural activities and interactive displays. A traditional Saudi majlis (sitting area) offers visitors Saudi coffee and dates accompanied by a joint musical performance, reflecting the Kingdom's famed hospitality. Meanwhile, Saudi and Japanese artisans collaborate on live demonstrations of date palm weaving, sadu (a traditional form of weaving), and pottery-making. The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts is also exhibiting hybrid crafts that blend Japanese and Saudi elements, with student-led workshops inviting visitors to try hands-on techniques such as kimono ornamentation and bisht weaving. In parallel, the calligraphy center stages live performances where Saudi and Japanese calligraphers use handmade paper crafted from palm fronds. The King Abdulaziz Foundation is showcasing a photographic timeline of Saudi-Japanese ties, capturing key diplomatic moments and cultural exchange milestones over the past seven decades. Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2025 will continue to host over 700 cultural events, providing visitors with an immersive experience that showcases the Kingdom's diversity, heritage, and forward-looking transformation agenda. The pavilion also highlights national priorities such as sustainability and Vision 2030 through a range of engaging, multimedia exhibitions.
