The city of Diriyah is getting ready to host the Diriyah International Forum 2024 from December 8–9.

Under the theme “Diriyah at the Forum of History and Trade: The Role of the Middle Region in Global Exchange.” The International Diriyah Forum is an annual event that celebrates the history and cultural resources of the ancient Diriyah, encouraging innovative thought and cooperation among researchers and practitioners. It aims to promote academic research on the Diriyah and its rooted heritage in Saudi culture, fostering a better understanding of its ancient history. The forum will explore the influence of Diriyah and the Central Region on cultural intersections and global exchange. Additionally, it will explore the material heritage of trade, archaeological, architectural, and environmental legacies, textual heritage of trade and culture narratives, manuscripts, trip records, and linguistic studies that document the exchange of ideas and cultures during different periods of trade. The focus will be on the cultural fabric in Diriyah and the central region. Moreover, the forum highlights the importance of oral history, Bedouin traditions, and artistic expressions in Diriyah and the central region, as they are commercially linked and impact the intangible heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. It also includes a student research exhibition, providing an active platform for students to participate and interact with experts, fostering valuable exchange of opinions and ideas that connect academic concepts to real experiences. Besides, the forum will conduct field visits to heritage and cultural sites in Diriyah, focusing on its ancient history, development, and tourism projects. The Diriyah Gate project aims to make Diriyah a prominent tourism and cultural destination by creating museums, cultural and hotel centers. It will showcase the historical importance of the dirham in the region's strategic and economic growth, as part of the Kingdom's 2030 vision. Read more UNCCD Conference, 2024