Diriyah, 7 December 2024. The Diriyah International Forum 2024 and its accompanying exhibition "Memory of the Camels" opened on Friday evening at Al Bujairi Terrace, organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and running through 15 December. The exhibition highlights the role camels played in shaping trade and travel routes, and reveals their profound influence in making Diriyah a global hub for commerce and hospitality throughout history.

Forum Focus: Diriyah's History as a Global Trading Hub

The second edition of the Diriyah International Forum, held under the theme "A Legacy that Extends," runs from 8 to 9 December and focuses on the historical role Diriyah and the central region played in global trade and cultural exchange. With the participation of a host of scholars and researchers from inside and outside the Kingdom, the forum covers three main themes:

  1. Tangible heritage: exploring the archaeological, architectural and environmental legacies that emerged through the history of trade, and displaying archival photographs, geographic maps and rare artifacts that highlight Diriyah's commercial role.
  2. Intangible heritage: presenting interactive experiences featuring exclusive audio recordings of poetry, songs and Najdi traditions that reflect Diriyah's standing in trade and cultural exchange.
  3. Textual heritage: analyzing manuscripts, travel accounts and linguistic shifts that document the region's history.

'Memory of the Camels': The Legacy of Camels in Trade

The accompanying exhibition showcases the pivotal role camels played in trade routes and their influence in shaping Diriyah's identity. It also includes archival photographs, historical maps and rare artifacts that embody the importance of cultural heritage in reinforcing national identity and connecting the region to its historical roots.

Supporting Partnerships

The forum saw extensive cooperation between local and international bodies to promote knowledge exchange and highlight cultural heritage, including:

  • Local partners: King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) as strategic partner; the Heritage Commission and the Heritage Foundation as official partners and supporters.
  • International partners: the International Association for the Study of Arabia (IASA); ARCHIAM Centre at the University of Liverpool; and the French Centre for Research on the Arabian Peninsula (CEFAS).

Prominent cultural institutions, including the King Fahd National Library and the King Abdulaziz Public Library, also took part, contributing archival and heritage content that supports the forum's goals.

Forum Objectives

  • Highlighting the cultural and historical value of Diriyah and Najd.
  • Spotlighting their pivotal role in global trade.
  • Strengthening cooperation between historians, archaeologists and cultural institutions.

A Renewed Vision for Heritage

The Diriyah International Forum and the "Memory of the Camels" exhibition affirm Diriyah's standing as a cultural and historical beacon, and a global destination for reviving heritage and fostering dialogue between civilizations.