Saudi Arabia is gearing up to celebrate World Heritage Day on April 18 with a plethora of events and activities lined up throughout the Kingdom. The Saudi Heritage Commission has announced a diverse range of festivities, including craft fairs, sound and light displays at historic structures, traditional dance performances, Al-Qatt Al-Asiri painting, and Arabic calligraphy.
In Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center will be the hub of the celebrations, hosting events from April 18 to 23, from 9 pm to 1:30 am during Ramadan, and from 4 pm to 11 pm during Eid. Other activities will also be held in Al-Ahsa, Hail, and Jeddah's historic Al-Balad district.
World Heritage Day is celebrated annually worldwide, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting significant cultural sites and monuments. Saudi Arabia, with its rich history of civilizations including the Nabataens and Thamud, boasts a diverse cultural heritage due to its strategic geographical position that serves as a link between Asia and Africa.
Archaeological evidence reveals that individuals migrated to the Arabian Peninsula from Africa into Eurasia, and Stone Age settlers used tools made from stone, bone, and wood for hunting, fishing, and collecting plants. Many of these artifacts are now exhibited at The National Museum in Riyadh, showcasing the early human presence in the region.
Ali Ibrahim Alhammad, a tourist guide consultant at The National Museum, explains that around 4,000 B.C., five or six Arab kingdoms existed in Saudi Arabia, including Dilmun in the east, Tayma, and Lihyanite in the northwest. He also points out that the Arabian Peninsula was home to a variety of religions before the rise of Islam, highlighting the cultural diversity of the region.
Alhammad, who holds a master's degree in archaeology and has spent 23 years working at The National Museum, emphasizes the significant cultural imprint left by the Bedouin nomadic Arab tribes in Saudi Arabia. He also underscores the importance of landmarks such as the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, which reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.
World Heritage Day serves as a reminder of the need to safeguard and preserve the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, which spans across millennia and reflects the diversity and richness of the region's history. The celebrations planned for April 18 and beyond aim to raise awareness among Saudis and visitors alike about the importance of protecting and cherishing these precious cultural treasures for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
