The Dar Al Funoon Al Islamiya museums in Jeddah marked International Museum Day 2026 with the "My Collectibles" exhibition, which offered a cultural and human experience reviving the details of life in the past through rare collectibles and personal objects carrying the memory of place and people, with collectors and heritage enthusiasts from inside and outside the Kingdom taking part.

The exhibition was an interactive space presenting the features of social life in old homes, through stations designed to evoke the spirit of the majlis, evening gatherings and traditional home offices, with the furniture, collectibles and memories tied to daily life in the past.

Rare Collectibles Telling Stories of the Past

The exhibition featured a varied collection of rare pieces of Arab and European character, including old devices, classic furniture, paintings, antiques and private household items contributed by their owners, in an experience that turns collectibles into living stories documenting different periods of time.

The exhibits also reflected a range of artistic and cultural styles, showing the diversity of the environments and civilizations these historical pieces were tied to.

An Interactive Experience Connecting Visitors with Memory

The exhibition relied on interactive spaces that give visitors a sense of moving between eras, supported by narrative texts on the concept of memory and the human impact of collectibles, in an experience combining visual documentation with cultural storytelling.

The exhibition sought to present collectibles as objects that carry their owners' stories and reflect the patterns and social and cultural details of life in the past.

Art Workshops to Encourage Cultural Engagement

The exhibition was accompanied by a number of art and interactive workshops that let visitors try experiences inspired by traditional crafts and the arts of heritage and visual memory.

These activities are part of a drive to connect museums with the community and strengthen their presence as living cultural spaces that preserve human memory and pass heritage on to new generations in contemporary ways.

Museums as Bridges for Cultural Dialogue

"My Collectibles" is part of the International Museum Day events, which highlight the role of museums in preserving heritage and promoting cultural dialogue through interactive experiences that bring visitors closer to their history and shared memory.

The exhibition also reflects growing interest in using the arts and collectibles to document social and cultural history in modern, creative ways.

At a Glance

  • Venue: Dar Al Funoon Al Islamiya museums, Jeddah
  • Occasion: International Museum Day 2026
  • Event: "My Collectibles" exhibition
  • Content: rare collectibles and heritage and personal objects
  • Activities: workshops and interactive experiences