RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has organized an event called “Memory of the Land,” which runs until Sunday in various regions of the Kingdom to commemorate Founding Day.
The event offers an immersive journey through the country’s rich history and cultural heritage and features interactive exhibitions, musical performances, and hands-on craft demonstrations that “bring historical narratives to life,” according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.
In Qassim, a designated children’s zone offers engaging experiences to learn about the Kingdom’s history, while a family space includes “entertainment activities such as puzzles and exciting games,” according to the SPA.
The event also features musical performances, live performing arts displays, a food area catering to all age groups, and a craftsmen’s section supporting the Year of Handicrafts initiative.
It aims to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, revive the celebration of its founding, and enhance national awareness of its history.
In the Northern Borders region, there are exhibitions including interactive stations detailing significant developments that shaped the Saudi state.
The event fosters national awareness by recreating historical events, figures, and costumes while showcasing cultural heritage through a blend of traditional and modern styles, the SPA said.
The craftsmen’s area demonstrated artisans’ skills, offering visitors a glimpse into the Kingdom’s rich craft heritage, a children’s zone provided interactive history lessons, and there was also a family zone featuring puzzles and games.
In Najran, the event attracted a “remarkable” turnout of citizens and residents who “explored the establishment of the Saudi state through key historical, cultural, and heritage elements, notable figures, and traditional clothing,” the SPA reported.
Staged near King Abdulaziz Park, the event featured a range of activities inspired by Saudi Arabia’s natural and cultural heritage. The craftsmen’s area was a highlight, showcasing traditional crafts including incense burners and Sadu weaving, as well as Al-Khous — a traditional weaving method using palm fronds that is an important part of Najran’s cultural and social heritage.
“The process involves cutting, washing, drying, and bundling the fronds before soaking them in water to soften them. They are then sewn together, shaped into fabric, and carefully trimmed to remove thorns. Once prepared, the fronds are colored and crafted into finished products,” the SPA explained.
In Jazan, residents expressed national pride through traditional attire, Saudi flags and symbols. Accompanied by their parents, children explored the event and learned about Saudi Arabia’s history, spanning over three centuries.
The event also featured a series of activities with a modern touch, inspired by Saudi Arabia’s natural and cultural elements.
Kingdom’s culture, history celebrated in ‘Memory of the Land’
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Kingdom’s culture, history celebrated in ‘Memory of the Land’
- Event brings heritage to life with exhibitions, music, crafts, and interactive experiences
- Staged near King Abdulaziz Park, the event featured a range of activities inspired by Saudi Arabia’s natural and cultural heritage
Local ZUMI thermos bottle has heritage-inspired design
- References Zamzam and Hajar’s search for water
- Helps to tell Kingdom’s story, says firm Teeb Made
ZUMI, a thermos bottle unveiled this month by Saudi Arabia brand Teeb Made, has a design referencing local memory, ritual and place, according to its producers.
“We believe meaningful design can influence how people live, feel, and connect,” said Abeer Alessa, CEO of The Bold Group and co-founder of Teeb Made.
“ZUMI draws from our heritage yet speaks to a global audience seeking intention and authenticity in the objects they choose.”
Developed under The Bold Group, ZUMI reflects a growing movement within Saudi Arabia’s creative sector to translate cultural narratives into tangible products.
Rather than following global design trends, the team focused on grounding the product in a story that resonates locally while remaining accessible internationally.
The name ZUMI is inspired by Hajar’s call, “Zummi, zummi,” meaning “gather, gather,” during her search for water for her son Ismail between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
That moment led to the emergence of Zamzam water, a source revered for centuries and deeply embedded in Islamic and Saudi identity. For the creators, this origin story became the philosophical core of the product.
“Culture starts with a story,” Alessa explained. “With Teeb Made, we wanted to tell our story not only through communication, but through a product you can touch, live with, and keep close to you.”
Visually, ZUMI draws inspiration from the dorag, the historical vessel used by the Zamazmah men of Makkah to serve Zamzam water to pilgrims for more than 1,400 years.
Traditionally utilitarian, the dorag carried spiritual weight through its purpose rather than ornamentation. Teeb Made reinterpreted this form into a minimal, contemporary silhouette suited for modern lifestyles.
“We wanted ZUMI to be a vessel of meaning, not just water,” said Mohamad Baalbaki, executive creative director of The Bold Group and co-founder of Teeb Made.
“Its form, its patented base, and its simplicity all serve one purpose: to create something that feels familiar, timeless, and deeply personal.”
The design process was extensive. Translating a historical silhouette into a thermos bottle required more than 18 months of research and development.
The final product received a patented design certification from the Saudi Ministry of Culture, marking a milestone in original Saudi intellectual property within product design.
One of ZUMI’s most talked-about features is that it does not stand upright. This decision was entirely intentional.
“We wanted people to carry it, not leave it on a table,” Baalbaki said. “It’s a statement piece, but more importantly, it’s a personal object that invites interaction and conversation.”
Color selection further reinforces the connection to place. The launch collection features hues inspired by Saudi landscapes, including tin (mud), forest, and matar (rain), reflecting the Kingdom’s environmental diversity and grounding the product visually in its origins.
“ZUMI is a product with a Saudi story that is scalable and built to last,” said Souad Merheb, general manager of Teeb Made. “Our vision is to create intellectual property that can live long, grow as a brand, and carry these stories to new generations without losing their meaning.”
“Teeb Made is, at its core, a product design company,” Merheb added. “Our expertise lies in design and creativity, and ZUMI is a reflection of that focus, a piece of IP developed with intention, patience, and depth.”
“There are many rich and insightful stories in Saudi Arabia that remain untapped,” Alessa said. “With ZUMI, this is just the beginning.”
Beyond the product itself, ZUMI aligns with broader national efforts to elevate Saudi culture through the creative economy.
Teeb Made has engaged with several government entities and cultural platforms that recognize the value of culturally rooted products in shaping global perceptions of the Kingdom.
“Today, every Saudi has a role in telling our story to the world,” Alessa said. “For us, it is an honor to contribute to that narrative through design.”
ZUMI also signals the beginning of a wider design ecosystem under Teeb Made, with future editions and complementary accessories already in development.
According to the team, this is only the first chapter in a larger effort to revive untapped cultural stories through modern design.
ZUMI is available at www.zumibottle.com and on Instagram @zumibottle.
