Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (TRITA) has celebrated the graduation of the first batch of the Traditional Building Arts Diploma Program.

The graduation ceremony for 11 male and female students witnessed the presence of TRITA's CEO Dr. Suzan Al-Yahya and a number of people interested in the traditional arts, at the Institute’s headquarters in Jeddah.

Dr. Al-Yahya indicated that the aim from the program is not to teach students the traditional arts, but rather make them understand heritage and traditional arts as a living identity in a creative and stimulating environment that develops and showcases national capabilities in that field in Saudi Arabia.

She said that the program, provided by TRITA within two academic years, aims to develop the knowledge of students in design and arts skills, raise awareness of the importance of cultural heritage in building, localize traditional building arts and crafts, and ensure their continuity.

It also aims to empower the national cadres through cognitive and professional preparation in the field of traditional building, teaching the principles of decoration in traditional arts, and to offer a program that integrates crafts, theoretical design principles, practical applications, and their compositional and engineering origins.

The traditional arts included in the The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts comprises Sadu, Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, pottery, traditional building, metal, wood and stone work, Arabic calligraphy, embroidery and textiles, wickerwork and performing arts.

TRITA also offers continuing education programs, short and specialized courses, apprenticeship programs lasting from 6 to 9 months, and academic programs of two years or more.