The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is participating in the 11th edition of Dubai Design Week (November 4–9, 2025), the Middle East's leading creative festival celebrating design, culture, and innovation. This year, Ithra's presence celebrates cross-cultural collaboration and design excellence, ahead of its flagship design event, Tanween, 17–22 November.

Tanween 2025 presents a dynamic design program of workshops, exhibitions, and talks on creativity in design. From hands-on Tanween Challenges addressing real-world needs to the Grad Show spotlighting emerging global talent, the event encourages innovation at every level. Through dialogues in the Tanween Majlis, it brings together designers and thought leaders to explore how design can drive meaningful social and cultural change.

Ithra's collaboration with Dubai Design Week extends beyond the festival, as Dubai Design Week will also serve as a creative partner for this year's edition of Tanween, alongside Isola Design, supporting meaningful dialogue and shared creative direction between two of the region's creative and cultural platforms.

At the center of Ithra's participation in the Dubai Design Week is an outdoor community seating installation by Madrid-based Dr. Izaskun Chinchilla Architects, commissioned by Ithra for Dubai Design Week. This immersive, sustainability-driven structure celebrates the dialogue between Spain and Saudi Arabia through architecture, scent, and shared symbolism.

The installation, titled Flamenco Essence: The Lavender Pavilion, is inspired by the graceful movement of flamenco, turning the dance's flowing skirts into welcoming, sculptural forms that open into public space. At its heart is lavender, a flower cherished in both Saudi and Spanish traditions, symbolizing cultural connection. The pavilion features seating around a fragrant garden, creating a calm and inviting place for people to gather and reflect. Blending architecture, scent, and storytelling offering a sensory experience that encourages rest, connection, and contemplation.

Following its debut in Dubai, the installation will travel to Dhahran to be featured in the eighth edition of Tanween, themed 'Design the Unspoken', where it will be showcased alongside a series of interactive experiences and thought-provoking talks at Ithra.

In addition to the outdoor installation at Dubai Design Week, Ithra hosts a private gathering with key design stakeholders for an exclusive preview of Tanween. Alongside its core programming, the annual design event features a design market showcasing a curated selection of design objects, stationery, apparel, and more from Saudi, regional and international creators, offering visitors the chance to explore and connect with the wider design community.

Ithra also participates in Dubai Design Week's anchor event Downtown Design through panel discussions and speaking engagements, including “Creative Crossroads: Pivotal in Shaping an Ecosystem,” reflecting the center's efforts to strengthen the creative industries.

Ithra's participation in Dubai Design Week 2025 underscores its efforts to foster regional and international creative exchange and to encourage talent on the global design stage. Through programs like Tanween and partnerships with leading creative platforms, the initiative encourages dialogue, discovery, and the growth of a vibrant, interconnected creative ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

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