Saudi Ardah Exhibition

Saudi Ardah Exhibition is a cultural event dedicated to highlighting the cultural significance of the Saudi Ardah, a prominent heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s culture and a component of its intangible cultural heritage listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The exhibition was organized by the Ministry of Culture in 2022, at al-Safat Square near al-Masmak Palace in Riyadh, the capital.

Over six days, the exhibition presented historical content in a visual format inspired by the desert. It featured a presentation about Hidaa al-Kheil (horse chant) attributed to the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, along with live performances by knights on horseback. The exhibition also included recitations of Hidaa poetry, oral expressions defined as chants used by camel herders to communicate with their herds. The camels respond to these sounds based on the melody and the herder's training techniques.

Another highlight of the Saudi Ardah Exhibition was a documentary presentation showcasing the evolution of the Saudi flag throughout the successive Saudi states, along with notable quotes from kings and princes and recited poetry glorifying and priding in Rayat al-Tawheed.

The Saudi Ardah Exhibition recreated the Ardah of Victory in War using hologram technology, offering a realistic simulation of the traditional Ardah performance. Several cultural facilities enriched the exhibition, including the Royal Museum, which featured a screen displaying images of the Saudi kings, the attire worn by them during Ardah performances, and their swords. The exhibition also presented 'Ardah Knights Institute' Initiative, where visitors could train their children under certified trainers from the National Ardah Center. Families could observe, photograph, and encourage their children during their training on Ardah in an open space equipped with a café.

The Saudi Ardah Exhibition also offered the Ardah Cinema event, photography zones, and a souvenir exhibition. The exhibition also included a theatrical performance aimed at audiences under the age of seventeen, the 'Global Ardah' Pavilion, displaying images of world leaders and diplomats performing the Saudi Ardah, the 'Ardah Artisans' Pavilion, which included five sections including: 'Al-Maqsab' (gold-threaded garments), 'al-Murodan' (wooden sticks), drums, daggers, and swords. Each section featured information about the artisans and craftsmen behind these items to educate visitors about Ardah attire production.