Intricate petroglyphs that trace over 10,000 years of Arab history inscribed in the rocky escarpments of Jabel Umm Sinman and Jabal al-Manjor at the ancient gate of Mecca in historic Jeddah, the landscapes of the Saudi Arabia whisper the rich history of the region from every corner of the country.
Today, as the Kingdom continues its ambitious transformation, creating new emerging sectors, the preservation of its unique heritage is paramount to its progress and development.
To this end, collaboration with key international partners such as France has proven crucial.
In April 2018, Saudi Arabia signed a landmark cultural partnership with France on the development of AlUla, one of the Kingdom's most important archaeological areas and its first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This partnership aims to discover and promote the treasure of unique archaeological, cultural and historical sites in northwestern Saudi Arabia, while strengthening the exchange of academic and archaeological information.
A treasure trove of historical archaeological sites
This collaboration results in an innovative approach to sustainable tourism, which reconciles the future growth of a key sector and the preservation of the country's history.
An approach that is already bearing fruit.
In 2021, AlUla welcomed more than 146,000 visitors, 62% more than the initial targets set by the RCU.
By 2025, it is expected that more than 380,000 international tourists will visit the site.
Thanks to its great know-how in archeology, France is an obvious partner of Saudi Arabia in the field of cultural heritage conservation.
In November 2021, RCU signed a long-term strategic partnership with Paris-based UNESCO to drive the rebirth of AlUla through skills building and knowledge transfer.
The RCU also signed a partnership with Campus France in 2018 to train Saudi students from the main international public university and professional institution in the best management practices of the AlUla region.
So far, 107 Saudi students have undertaken studies with Campus France between 2018 and 2022, under this agreement.
Yet this influx of visitors will not come at the expense of the tremendous natural splendor, artifacts and wonders to be discovered along Saudi Arabia's rolling deserts.
The Kingdom is more than ever committed to the protection of its archaeological marvels.
Hegra is another example, known to Muslims as Al-Hijr, also called Mada'in Salih.
Located in AlUla, Hegra is home to one of Saudi Arabia's six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, whose origins date back to the Nabataean kingdom.
During the time of the Arab Nabataeans in classical antiquity, the region served as a crossroads on the frankincense route, linking the Arabian Peninsula with Mediterranean Europe, Africa and Asia.
Preserving cultural heritage
In Saudi Arabia, several institutions have been established across the kingdom to preserve Saudi cultural heritage.
Established in 1973, the Saudi Society for Culture and the Arts sponsors Saudi artists and supports emerging talent in the development and promotion of their art.
The King Fahad National Library houses one of the world's largest collections of rare manuscripts of Arabic and Islamic literature.
It is also a premier research center in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Culture has chosen the slogan "Year of Arabic Calligraphy" for 2020 to highlight a pillar of Arabic culture and enrich the modern adaptation of this ancient art.
This art form dates back 1,400 years to the first century of Islam.
More recently, the Ministry of Culture designated 2022 as "the year of Saudi coffee" to celebrate the authentic taste of the country's coffee, an essential element at the heart of the Kingdom's culture, and to promote its consumption, production and his culture.
A full calendar of cultural events
Moreover, the Saudi cultural calendar is now rich in major cultural events.
Among them is the Janadriyah Heritage and Culture Festival, the most famous cultural event in Saudi Arabia, organized annually by the National Guard.
This festival allows Saudis, residents and visitors to the Kingdom to get a glimpse of the past.
First held in 1985, the festival underscores the Kingdom's commitment to preserving the culture and traditional crafts of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Ministry of Culture sponsors a wide range of cultural programs, including theater groups, folklore classes, literary events and symposia, international arts and cultural events as well as science projects.
With the license allowing cinemas to operate in Saudi Arabia in early 2018, the Kingdom's cinema sector is expected to grow, including the development of studio spaces, production companies founded and run by Saudis, and other businesses and industries integral to a national film industry.
The country has a long list of exciting events such as the AlUla season, the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Diriyah Biennial of Contemporary Art.
Many are also familiar with the countless megaprojects that are rewriting the possibilities of sustainable development, such as NEOM, Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate and King Salman Park.
These projects will provide incredible experiences in sports, entertainment and culinary attractions.
Highlighting Saudi Arabia's cultural and artistic heritage is at the heart of the Kingdom's transformation project into an open and outward-looking nation.
A nation that invites the world to explore not only the history of a nation, but also that of the entire region.
For more information on tourism in Saudi Arabia: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en