Diriyah Gate Development Authority Concludes the Second Edition of the Diriyah Global Seminar

Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) concluded the second edition of the Diriyah Global Seminar (DGS) under the theme "Timeless Knowledge". This year's seminar focused on the theme: "The Crossroads of Trade and Tradition: Diriyah and Central Arabia’s Role in Global Exchange", held at the Diriyah Education Office from December 8th to 9th.

This year’s seminar focused on three main streams. The first stream explored the material heritage of trade by examining archaeological, architectural, and environmental legacies highlighting the role of Diriyah and the Central Region in historical trade links. The second stream focused on intangible heritage through exploring traditions, values, and cultural expressions that have shaped Central Arabia’s identity across generations. The third stream covered the textual heritage by analyzing manuscripts, travel narratives, and linguistic transformations that document historical narratives positioning Diriyah and the Central Region as pivotal stops in global trade networks.

The seminar's activities over the two days included a variety of panel discussions and presentations that explored a number of topics, such as methods of preserving the commercial heritage, examples of cultural and artistic exchange, the role of Saudi coffee houses in promoting heritage and peace values, the image of the Najd region in Orientalist literature, and the impressions of European travelers about the region. In addition, panel discussions explored the economic history of Diriyah markets, the sustainability of trade between the past and present, and methodologies for studying trade routes, intersections, and land and seaports, considering Diriyah as a meeting point for the region and the world.

The seminar was widely attended by local and international participants, including academic institutions, specialized research centers in historical and cultural studies, organizations concerned with cultural and environmental heritage, and a constellation of local and international scholars, intellectuals, and researchers in various fields. The aim was to enhance academic research related to Diriyah and the Central Region.

The seminar also included an accompanying exhibition which showcased several publications, documents, artifacts, and photographs documenting the history of Riyadh and Diriyah, as well as visual presentations of field work along ancient trade routes. Additionally, there was a pavilion showcasing elements of Saudi cultural heritage listed by UNESCO.

The second edition of the Diriyah Global Seminar embodies the role of Diriyah Gate Development Authority in documenting and highlighting the heritage and long history of Diriyah and the Central Region. The seminar was held in partnership with a number of entities, including the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darrah) as a strategic partner, the Heritage Commission as an official partner, and the AlTurath Foundation as a supporting partner. In addition, several international entities participated as knowledge partners, including the International Association for the Study of the Arabian Peninsula (IASA), Centre for the Study of Architecture and the Cultural Heritage of India, Arabia and the Maghreb at the University of Liverpool (ARCHIAM), and the French Research Centre of the Arabian Peninsula.