Jeddah: The Ancient Kingdoms Festival has returned to AlUla to celebrate the history and heritage of the region.
Organized by AlUla Moments, this two-week festival will run until December 2 and offers a series of exciting experiences that transport visitors into the heart of AlUla’s fascinating past.
The festival’s program includes cultural extravaganzas, evening tours, historical culinary experiences, and trips to archaeological and historical sites.
This year’s festival marks the 15th anniversary of Hegra’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nabataean city is spread over 52 hectares and is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s rich history. Initially untouched for more than 2,000 years, the city has revealed its treasures, allowing archaeologists and experts to investigate its ancient mysteries.
The legendary Arab explorer Ibn Battuta visited Hegra in the 14th century and wrote in his memoirs that its tombs had been passed over the centuries by travelers, merchants, and even pilgrims on their way to Mecca. I am.
expensivelight
• The two-week Ancient Kingdoms Festival in AlUla celebrates local history and heritage.
• This year’s festival marks the 15th anniversary of Hegra’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The “Life in Al-Hijr Exhibition” showcases 15 archaeological discoveries from the region.
• For more information on tours and cultural activities, visit experiencealula.com.
Another famous explorer who made this journey was Charles Montagu Doughty. Regarded to this day as one of the greatest Western travelers to Arabia, Doughty’s visit to Hegra was mentioned in his 1888 book Travels in the Arabian Desert. I am.
However, Hegra is now open to the world as one of Saudi Arabia’s iconic landmarks, welcoming tourists from all walks of life to explore the kingdom’s uniquely unspoiled region.
“The stories and secrets within Hegra…have stood the test of time, and revealing them now will only force this city to remain as important as ever.” Philip Jones, chief tourism officer of the Royal Commission for AlUla, told Arab News.
“Modern Saudi Arabia and its people, like the ancient Nabataean and Roman civilizations that lived in Hegra, are pioneers, innovative, trading with communities near and far, and whose legacy is private. It is passed down through our culture and heritage. This year’s Ancient Kingdoms Festival will shine a unique spotlight on this heritage through a series of world-class activities,” Jones explained.
Its heritage is interwoven with the stories of the Nabataean peoples and those of the Dadanis and Lihyans, all of whom have left an indelible mark on this historic place. This is evidence of timeless cultural exchange in architecture, decoration, language use, and caravan trade.
Visitors to the festival will be able to uncover Hegra’s secrets through new and exciting access points and witness history through innovative and thoughtfully designed experiences.
Hegra After Dark is an immersive, historically inspired experience in the shadow of the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s most spectacular tombs. Visitors begin their journey to discover the “Secret Garden of Climat” aboard a Nabataean horse-drawn carriage. This garden is a sensorium imagined by the curators, where you can explore the history and culture of incense use in the ancient world. The Theater of Life, on the other hand, is an experience that combines historical storytelling and entertainment.
The stories and secrets within Hegra have stood the test of time, and the fact that we reveal them now only emphasizes that this city remains as important as ever. .
philip jonesChief Tourism Officer, AlUla Royal Commission
Jones added: “These activations promise to take visitors on a journey through time and present Hegra to the world in a way never experienced before.”
“Evening of the Stones” is inspired by the state’s history and takes visitors on a journey to its most important cemeteries. There will also be an “Al Hijr Life Exhibition” showcasing his 15 archaeological discoveries in the area, as well as the region’s wildlife and natural life.
During the opening weekend, the festival began on November 16 with the Journey Through Time Parade, highlighting the stories, legends and heritage of the ancient Incense Trail, as well as the life and memories of AlUla.
Another experience is “Ikmaa After Dark,” which celebrates Jabal Ikmaa’s recent inscription on the UNESCO Memory of the World list. Visitors will enjoy Arabian hospitality and refreshments, hands-on carving activities, and spectacular shows – all inspired by the inscriptions left by historic civilizations.
Other activities launched include the ‘King Nabonidus Parade’, where visitors can celebrate all things Tayman with a dramatic show starring the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
Visitors will witness the intertwining of past and present as they explore the legendary landscapes and connections between the three interconnected ancient oases of northwest Arabia: AlUla, Khyber and Taima.
Khyber is a center of geological wonders and natural treasures. Engaging activities like ‘Khyber Camp’ invite visitors to explore traditional food, handicrafts and traditional family-friendly performances. The ‘Oasis Soundscape’ festival combines music, nature and landscape in a unique setting. Takya Restaurant also offers the opportunity to taste traditional Saudi cuisine with beautiful views of Khyber Fort and the oasis.
Taima, another important site, takes visitors on a historically inspired experience that reveals the richness and complexity of the kings, queens and ancient communities that once flourished in the area.
Among these experiences, “Taima Camp” offers a fun combination of food, authentic handicrafts, cultural performances, camel riding, and falconry. Meanwhile, ‘Timer Live’ offers a captivating re-enactment that tells ‘The Story of the Land of Kings’. ” through music and performing arts.
The Ancient Kingdoms Festival introduces several new Oases Discovery activations. Created in collaboration with AlUla residents, the ‘Memory Reserve’ pays homage to the oasis through a multi-sensory experience. Guests can create nostalgic desserts in the hands-on dessert lab, enjoy liquid nitrogen slush, and sample 3D printed wafers.
In addition, two special picnic experiences, “Ancestral Basket” and “Box of Life and Memories,” are inspired by memories of the harvest season at the oasis. Visitors can choose a family-friendly portable picnic basket to enjoy in the shade of the trees or indulge in an upscale gastronomic feast served in an upscale and cozy setting.
A series of cultural and artistic workshops will be held under the theme “Program for Future Ancients.” Designed for young at heart and their families, these activities were created through extensive consultation with archaeologists by the Academy of Ancient Inscriptions.
For more information, please visit experiencealula.com.