DGDA Starts Al-Mishraq Narrative Sessions to Highlight Saudi History

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s Cultural and Historical Validation Department has launched Al-Mishraq Initiative. In an effort to preserve the popular heroic legends of the Saudi history in Diriyah.

The initiative consists of a monthly four narrative sessions, featuring storytelling of popular literature. The first of these sessions was held at King Fahad National Library in September, celebrating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 92nd National Day. During which stories of King Abdulaziz and the reclamation of Riyadh were read aloud to the audience.

The second session, was held at the Royal Academy of The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts in October, highlighted the character and personality of Imam Mohammed bin Saud.

The third session was held at Alfaisal University this November, and highlighted about Ghaliah Al-Buqmiyyah, a Saudi woman who heroically thwarted the progress of Ottoman invaders during the reign of the First Saudi State The fourth and final session for the season is set to tell the story of Bakhroosh bin Allas, one of the Saudi heroes who defended Diriyah during the reign of the First Saudi State.

Dr. Badran Alhonaihen, Director of Cultural and Historical Validation at DGDA, highlighted that Al-Mishraq Initiative manifests the DGDA’s effort to foster awareness regarding the culture and heritage of Saudi Arabia across three historic Saudi realms.

“The initiative seeks to preserve and uphold the presence of cultural heritage within the Kingdom and Diriyah in particular, as the district is the 300-year birthplace of the modern Saudi State.”, he added. 

“Al-Mishraq is part of the DGDA’s Historic and Cultural Awareness Program, which aims to document the history and heritage of Diriyah and showcase the socio-economic and cultural heritage of the district throughout antiquity.”, he explained. It also aims to highlight the stories of Saudi kings and heroes, reanimate the heroic events of Diriyah through popular literature and raise public awareness and knowledge of Saudi history and historical occurrences in Diriyah.