Al-Ahsa chairs UNESCO Creative Cities crafts and folk arts meeting in Bulgaria

Al-Ahsa chaired the meeting of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for crafts and folk arts, hosted by Gabrovo, Bulgaria, with representatives from 20 creative cities around the world in attendance.

Issam bin Abdul Latif Al-Mulla, Mayor of Al-Ahsa, presented Al-Ahsa’s experience in leveraging culture and creativity to support sustainable development and strengthen community bonds, highlighting their role in building bridges of communication and cooperation between peoples and cities.

Al-Mulla addressed several topics related to the future of creative cities, including culture and innovation, technology and human skills, investing in the future, cooperation among creative cities, and the impact of cultural creativity on preserving identity and enhancing social cohesion.

He emphasized that Al-Ahsa’s approach is based on the concept of “cultural resilience,” which goes beyond heritage preservation to include developing new ways of safeguarding, practicing, and passing on traditions to future generations in line with changing times, as an essential part of community identity and strength.

Technology as a partner for artisans

Al-Mulla explained that technology and artificial intelligence present opportunities to develop traditional skills and knowledge, opening new horizons for artisans. He stressed that the relationship between technology and heritage is complementary rather than substitutive, enabling artisans to innovate, document, and reach wider audiences and markets while maintaining the authenticity and identity of their crafts.

He affirmed that investing in culture and creativity is an investment in people and human relationships, contributing to a stronger sense of belonging, communication, and community cohesion.

Strengthening cooperation among creative cities

Meanwhile, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shubaith, Al-Ahsa’s Creative Cities Coordinator and Chair of the Crafts and Folk Arts Cluster for UNESCO Creative Cities, emphasized that culture remains a soft power for peace and an effective tool for fostering understanding and closeness among societies. He highlighted the importance of unifying efforts and exchanging experiences to develop the crafts and folk arts sector and reinforce its role in sustainable cultural development.

The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation and exchange of expertise among UNESCO Creative Cities Network members, and to advance joint work in crafts and folk arts, strengthening the role of culture and creativity in shaping the future of cities.