Jeddah exhibition celebrates Hijazi heritage through art and sound

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — The House of Islamic Arts Museum in Jeddah marked the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage with an art exhibition titled “Between the Balconies,” celebrating the richness of Hijazi culture through contemporary and traditional expressions.

Organized in partnership with female students from Umm Al-Qura University’s Visual Arts Department, the exhibition runs until October 31, drawing artists and heritage enthusiasts dedicated to cultural preservation, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The exhibition features 20 contemporary art pieces inspired by rawasheen and traditional wooden doors — iconic elements of Hijazi architecture — presented in innovative styles that bridge the past with the present.

Visitors can take part in interactive workshops on wood and metal engraving, ornament design, and heritage photography, offering hands-on experience in preserving Saudi Arabia’s artistic traditions.

In addition to visual art, the event highlights auditory heritage — including Qur’an recitations, the call to prayer, muwashahat (classical Arabic musical poetry), and oral storytelling — capturing the collective sound memory that shaped early Islamic communities.

Through this multidisciplinary approach, “Between the Balconies” reinforces the museum’s mission to document and reinterpret Islamic artistic heritage, while enriching cultural awareness and aesthetic appreciation among younger generations.