tanween’s 8th edition takes center stage at ITHRA
From November 17 to 22, 2025, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) presents the 8th edition of its annual design event, Tanween. A highlight of the MENA region’s design landscape with global relevance, Tanween 2025 brings together designers from Saudi Arabia and around the world to experiment, collaborate, and develop ideas that have real impact. This year’s program explores one of the most pressing mandates for contemporary creatives — the power of empathy — under the theme Design the Unspoken.
from November 17 to 22, 2025 Ithra hosts the 8th edition of its annual design festival, Tanween | image © Yasir Alqunais, all images courtesy of Tanween
DESIGNing CULTURAL CHANGE
Ithra is a globally recognized cultural and creative destination in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, home to programs and initiatives that nurture curiosity, creativity, and innovation. Since its opening in 2018, Ithra has become a distinguished architectural landmark that houses the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children’s Museum and Ithra Tower. Tanween is Ithra’s flagship annual design event, where dialogue quickly moves into practice, and ideas take shape through workshops, design challenges, and exhibitions.
‘Tanween is designed as a dynamic and active ecosystem, not just a showcase,’ says Shahad Al-Wazni, Tanween Lead. ‘Every element moves designers from dialogue to practice, fostering collaborations, prototypes, and new directions in their work.’
designboom joins Tanween to discover the voices left unheard under the theme ‘Design the Unspoken’ | image ©
The architectural art installation Flamenco Essence: The Lavender Pavilion made its debut at the 11th edition of Dubai Design Week (November 4-9) before being presented at Tanween, underscoring the event’s role in fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. Commissioned by Ithra and designed by Spanish firm Izaskun Chinchilla Architects, the pavilion creates a space for interaction and reflection, built with sustainability in mind, with lavender (khozama) serving as a shared visual and cultural element between Saudi Arabia and Spain.
This year, Isola Design Group and Dubai Design Week join Tanween as creative partners, contributing across panels, co-curated exhibitions, showcases, and mentorship programs. These partnerships strengthen cross-cultural collaboration, allowing local and international designers to co-create, exchange ideas, and see concepts move from discussion to tangible outcomes.
Tanween serves as Ithra’s most impactful annual event dedicated to design
how tanween FOCUSes ON EMPATHY, SOCIAL IMPACT, AND INCLUSION
Tanween 2025 encourages designers to look, listen, and respond to what is often unspoken, exploring needs, frictions, and human experiences often overlooked in conventional design processes. The theme, Design the Unspoken, invites designers to use their practice as a tool for empathy, social impact, and inclusivity — reaching groups traditionally underserved by mainstream markets. This approach positions Tanween not just as a display of aesthetics but as a space for addressing social, cultural, and infrastructural challenges.
Over six days, Tanween offers a multidisciplinary program with hands-on experiences, mentorship, and collaborative design challenges that move ideas from discussion to tangible outcomes. The event includes panel discussions at the Tanween Majlis, design exhibitions, workshops, the Day with an Expert program, fast-paced design hackathon known as the Tanween Challenges, interactive experiences and a vibrant design market.
The event transforms Ithra into a living design hub, where global experts and emerging designers collaborate, test ideas, and bring creative solutions to life, fostering dialogue, skill-building, and cross-cultural exchange.
Tanween 2025 focuses on shifting design’s lens away from the obvious, challenging participants to look at problems, needs, or frictions that are overlooked in conventional processes | image © Aqeel Alsaihati
the six-day event signals a significant shift in how design is being positioned in the MENA region | image © Aqeel Alsaihati
the event’s importance for global exchange is further reinforced by its creative partnership with Isola Design, which features across Tanween’s programs | image © Aqeel Alsaihati
the theme is an invitation to use design as a tool for empathy, social impact, and inclusivity | image © Hassan Almulla
Over six days, Tanween offers a multidisciplinary program and hands-on learning experiences for professionals, students, and design enthusiasts alike | image © Hassan Almulla
the comprehensive program includes large-scale interactive exhibitions and installations | image © Aqeel Alsaihati
the festival turns the Ithra campus into a living design studio | image © Yasir Alqunais
Tanween 2025 sparks productive and impactful dialogues between global voices and local emerging talent | image © designboom
event info:
dates: 17-22 November, 2025
location: 8386 Ring Rd, Gharb Al Dhahran, Dhahran 34461
registration: https://www.ithra.com/en/special-programs/tanween/Tanween-2025-Design-the-unspoken-page/register-attend
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