Wrth Participates in World Defense Show 2026 with Innovative Projects

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) is participating in the World Defense Show 2026, held in Riyadh from February 8 to 12, 2026. Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the theme "Equipped for Tomorrow," the exhibition gathers government entities along with national and international companies across five defense domains.

Wrth’s participation features two joint projects with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of National Guard. These initiatives aim to strengthen the presence of traditional Saudi arts within the military sector, highlighting them as a language of national identity capable of interacting with various industries. They present these arts to the public within contemporary contexts that reflect the Kingdom's values and cultural symbolism through outcomes combining design and visual imagery.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Wrth is conducting a live interactive workshop with public participation. This workshop enables visitors to craft a traditional censer (Mabkhara) from rammed earth through a direct educational experience that introduces the craft, its steps, raw materials, and context. The workshop serves as an extension of previous collaborations that reinforce the presence of traditional arts, showcasing the censer as a symbol tied to the values of generosity and hospitality in Saudi culture, thereby providing an inspiring experience that brings traditional arts closer to both local and international audiences.

The collaboration with the Ministry of National Guard highlights the presence of traditional arts within the military sector by utilizing traditional patterns inspired by Najdi doors and applying them onto a defense vehicle to reflect the identity of the World Defense Show and the concept of defense integration. This output embodies how traditional motifs and symbols can transform into a contemporary visual language that highlights Saudi identity in non-traditional settings, proving that art is present even on the battlefield.

Wrth’s participation in the World Defense Show 2026 underscores its continuous efforts to promote traditional Saudi arts and connect them to contemporary reality through specialized partnerships. This aligns with the Kingdom's objectives to highlight cultural identity, enrich public experiences, and deliver communicative outcomes that reflect the authenticity of Saudi heritage and its capacity to inspire across various sectors.