Ithra's Khoos Initiative Reimagines Palm Weaving as Living Heritage

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has launched the Khoos Initiative, a long-term cultural programme dedicated to rethinking palm weaving as both heritage and contemporary practice. Rooted in the traditions of Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, the project connects local artisans with international designers to explore palm weaving not as a static craft, but as an evolving system of knowledge with artistic, ecological, and cultural potential.

“For us, the Khoos Initiative illustrates how Ithra brings heritage and craft into conversation with contemporary practices,” said Noura Alzamil, Ithra’s Head of Programs. “By connecting artisans, artists, and designers across borders, we support traditional Saudi techniques fostering sustainable and innovative approaches within the craft sector. Projects like this create opportunities for collaboration, strengthen the cultural ecosystem, and contribute to global dialogues on heritage, creativity, and design.”

For centuries, Khoos- the weaving of dried palm fronds into baskets, mats, and architectural elements- has been part of everyday life in the Kingdom. Beyond its functional role, it carries cultural memory and resilience, passed down through generations. The Khoos Initiative brings these traditions into a global dialogue, positioning the craft as a tool for innovation while preserving its deep local roots.

From October 3rd to the 14th, a residency spanning Al-Ahsa and Ithra will pair Saudi artists Bashaer Hawsawi, Jana Malaikah, and Fatimah Al Nemer with international designers including Heechan Kim (South Korea), Mariam Alnoaimi (Bahrain), and Isabelle Infante (Chile). Led by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Abeer Seikaly, the residency emphasises hands-on collaboration with palm weavers, blending inherited techniques with experimental approaches.

On October 9th, Ithra will open Baseqat: The Palm Tree Exhibition, which runs until March 2026. Organised into thematic sections- Oasis, Roots, Trunk, Fronds, and Dates- the exhibition examines the palm’s influence on architecture, medicine, ritual, and craft. Contemporary works by artists such as Sumaya Shelbi, Mohammed Amine Hamouda, and Mestiz (Daniel Valero) will reinterpret the tree’s legacy, while Palms in Eternal Embrace, a major new commission by Ithra Art Prize winner Obaid Alsafi, serves as the exhibition’s centrepiece.

The programme also includes the premiere of 'Sa’afa', a documentary by Lebanese filmmaker Mahmoud Kaabour, which offers an intimate portrait of Al-Ahsa’s palm weavers and frames their work as both craft and contemplative practice.

In November, the initiative will expand with signature commissions by Nada Debs (Lebanon), Cristián Mohaded (Argentina), and Saudi architect Shahad Alazzaz, supported by the Saudi Heritage Commission. These works will extend palm weaving into new applications across art, architecture, and design.

Internationally, the Khoos Initiative will be presented at UNESCO Mondiacult 2025 in Barcelona and at the ICOM General Conference in Dubai, highlighting craft’s role in sustaining cultural identity and fostering sustainable futures.

Rather than focusing solely on preservation, the Khoos Initiative frames palm weaving as a living methodology- a practice that connects ecology, design, and community. In doing so, it positions one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest crafts as a source of contemporary creativity and resilience.