RIYADH: The Riyadh region now has more private museums than any other province in Saudi Arabia after five new licenses were granted.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) gave the go-ahead for the latest exhibition centers, which will take the total number of museums in the region’s towns, cities and governorates to 50.
Two of the new museums approved by the commission, Riwaq Al-Turath Museum in Riyadh and Moudi Al-Asimi Museum in Al-Dawadmi governorate, are owned by women.
Other licenses go to the Majid Heritage Museum in Rawdat Sadir, the Khalid Al-Radian Heritage Museum in Riyadh, and the Qararah Museum in Al-Dawadmi.
Ajab Al-Otaibi, director of national heritage administration for the SCTH’s Riyadh region, highlighted the important role played by public- and private-sector partners in supporting and marketing private museums.
He said: “Private museums participate in celebrating official holidays and national and international museum days. They receive visitors, both citizens and residents, school students and state guests of foreign countries, often hosting cultural events and heritage shows.”
Al-Otaibi noted that private museums were key providers in helping raise awareness of the Kingdom’s cultural and civil identity, while also acting as a source of education, knowledge, entertainment and tourist trade.
He also hailed museum owners for their vital contribution to preserving the Saudi national heritage.
Some of the most prominent private museums in the region include Al-Hamdan Heritage Museum in Riyadh, Al-Tamim Museum in Al-Aflaj, Hamad Al-Salem Museum in Ishkeir Center, Al-Sadiriyeh Heritage Museum in Wadi Al-Dawaser, Al-Dalm Abaq Al-Tarikh Museum in Al-Kharj, Jarallah Al-Adib Museum for Popular Heritage in Riyadh, Diyar Al-Izz Museum in Al-Muzahimiyah, and Abdulrahman Al-Dweihi Museum for Popular Heritage in Al-Zulfi.
Five new Saudi museums get license to promote cultural, civil identity
Five new Saudi museums get license to promote cultural, civil identity
- Two of the new museums approved by the commission, Riwaq Al-Turath Museum in Riyadh and Moudi Al-Asimi Museum in Al-Dawadmi governorate, are owned by women
Citrus festival highlights AlUla’s heritage, economy
- The rise in visitor numbers reflects the festival’s prominence as a major agricultural and community event. It runs until Jan. 16
ALULA: The AlUla Citrus Festival has seen a remarkable turnout of residents and visitors as it has coincided with the mid-year school break, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The festival is being held at the farmers’ market in the cultural oasis, amid an environment that blends stunning natural beauty with the governorate's rich agricultural heritage.
The rise in visitor numbers reflects the festival’s prominence as a major agricultural and community event. It runs until Jan. 16.
It allows visitors to explore local products and purchase citrus fruits directly from farmers, highlighting the deep connection between the people, their land, and agricultural legacy.
The festival showcases a diverse selection of AlUla’s finest citrus fruits, alongside platforms for local producers, the SPA added.
The event also features interactive family-friendly activities and live cooking demonstrations.
It contributes to revitalizing agricultural economic activity and reinforces agricultural seasons as a pillar of sustainable development in the governorate.
The AlUla Citrus Festival is a key social and economic event and gives local farmers a vital platform to showcase and sell their produce, supporting the agricultural economy of a governorate home to nearly 5,000 productive farms.
