Diriyah Global Seminar 2024 Kicks Off with "Caravans of Memories" Exhibition

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) today inaugurated the Diriyah Global Seminar with the opening of the Caravans of Memories exhibition, which will run until December 15, 2024, at Bujairi Terrace. The exhibition explores Diriyah’s legacy as a crossroads of trade and tradition, reflecting the stories of travelers and merchants who journeyed through its landscapes, shaping central Arabia’s historical significance as a hub of exchange and hospitality.

This exhibition marks the beginning of the second edition of the Diriyah Global Seminar, which will be held from December 8 to 9, under the tag line "Timeless Knowledge." This edition will explore several topics under the main theme "The Crossroads of Trade and Tradition: Diriyah and Central Arabia’s Role in Global Exchange" Held in collaboration with a distinguished group of Saudi and international scholars, intellectuals, and researchers.

This year's seminar will discuss three main streams. The first stream will explore the material heritage of trade by examining archaeological, architectural, and environmental legacies that highlight the role of Diriyah and the Central Region in historical trade links. The second stream will focus on intangible heritage through exploring traditions, values, and cultural expressions that have shaped Central Arabia’s identity across generations. Finally, the third stream will cover 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 exhibition features a collection of archival photographs, geographical maps, and rare artifacts that showcase the pivotal role of Diriyah and Central Arabia in global cultural and economic exchange, highlighting its rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted in history. In addition, it showcases the prominent role of camels in the region’s trading history and its heritage, reflecting their significance in connecting communities and enabling the exchange of goods, traditions, and knowledge across the region. The seminar and exhibition also seek to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration between relevant academic partners worldwide and archaeologists, historians, and practitioners interested in the region.

The second edition of the seminar is held in partnership with several entities, including the King Abdulaziz Foundation for research and Archives (Darrah) as Strategic Partner, the Heritage Commission as an Official Partner, and the AlTurath Foundation as a Supporting Partner. In addition, several international entities are participating as Knowledge Exchange Partners, such as 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 (CEFREPA). The accompanying exhibition is also held in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for research and Archives (Darrah), the Museums Commission, the King Khalid Foundation, the AlTurath Foundation, the Royal Commission for AlUla, the National Center for Archives and Records, the King Fahd National Library, the King Abdulaziz Public Library, and Al-Jazirah Corporation for Press, Printing and Publishing.