Limits and standards for developing handcrafted products
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Abstract
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a long tradition of traditional crafts belonging to local cultural groups of Arab tribes endemic in all regions of the Kingdom, leaving behind the indicators of a sophisticated culture of these crafts. These human groups have succeeded in their artistic techniques, designs and decorative elements. These crafts have valuable products that pay for needs that are essential to people's old daily lives.
These crafts and their products are no longer a cultural heritage that inherits generations and enjoys only the Kingdom's support and attention, but a vital sector that plays an important economic role.
There is no doubt that traditional crafts products require creativity, innovation and development in response to cultural variables, the realization of desires and needs, and the creation of competition for other products leading to the continuity and preservation of crafts.
It is important to establish limits and standards for this development that ensure the preservation of the national authenticity and identity of artisanal products and create competition with others. Particularly in the light of the proliferation of indiscriminate products and the experience of some modest craftsmen, and the lack of emphasis on authenticity and identity; Although there is a significant cultural movement in the field of crafts and traditional industries in Saudi Arabia, and interest in their products, there is no clear mechanism for the limits and standards of the development of these crafts' products.
This paper aims to highlight the development of artisanal products and the limits and standards of such development through the elements of this paper: to clarify the concept and importance of trades and traditional industries, to define and classify artisanal products and to address the difference between the product industry and its development, as well as to illustrate the importance and objectives of development and the development mechanism so that products do not lose their authenticity as a cultural heritage reflecting their national identity. The results of the development and its impact on the continuity of trades and traditional industries.