Set against the dramatic landscape overlooking Wadi Safar, the program blends history and environment, offering a calm yet engaging escape that reflects the deep relationship between people, land, and tradition in central Arabia.

Open daily from early evening until midnight, Minzal creates a timeless atmosphere where guests can explore Saudi customs through poetry, oral narratives, scenic viewpoints, and cuisine inspired by generations of local knowledge.

The experience is designed to feel organic and lived-in, allowing visitors to move freely between spaces that reflect different aspects of traditional life while enjoying modern comforts and thoughtful design elements.

Running until mid-February, Minzal offers a diverse range of activities including horseback riding, falconry, archery, and astronomy, alongside curated cafes, restaurants, and retail spaces that add a contemporary dimension.

Each element is carefully integrated to ensure authenticity remains central, while still appealing to international visitors seeking meaningful cultural engagement rather than surface-level tourism.

The program is divided into four main zones, each highlighting a distinct dimension of Diriyah’s historical and cultural legacy, encouraging exploration through participation rather than observation.

The Al-Uloom zone focuses on craftsmanship, where leather-working, carpet-weaving, and wood-working demonstrate skills that once supported everyday life and trade across the region.

Nearby, the Sloom experience centers on Saudi hospitality, offering insights into coffee traditions, desert plants, fire-lighting practices, camel-milking, and tent-making that shaped nomadic and settled communities alike.

For those drawn to movement and skill, the Faris Al-Badiyah experience brings equestrian heritage to life through horse riding and archery, emphasizing values of discipline, balance, and respect for animals.

The falconry zone introduces visitors to one of the most iconic aspects of Arabian culture, teaching the traditions, ethics, and techniques associated with hunting alongside trained falcons.

As night falls, the Al-Mushrif zone offers a quieter experience, with stargazing under clear desert skies that reflects how astronomy once guided travel, agriculture, and seasonal rhythms.

Minzal’s setting allows visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature, reinforcing Diriyah’s role as a place where geography and history have always been deeply intertwined.

Beyond entertainment, the program contributes to cultural education by presenting heritage as a living, evolving practice rather than a static display of the past.

Diriyah Season as a whole positions the area as a global destination for heritage tourism, drawing attention to sites that once served as political, cultural, and social centers of the region.

Minzal complements this vision by focusing on everyday life, offering intimate encounters with traditions that shaped community values and collective memory.

The experience reflects a broader national effort to preserve heritage while aligning it with contemporary standards of design, sustainability, and visitor engagement.

By combining Najdi authenticity with innovation, Minzal demonstrates how cultural preservation can coexist with modern development and international appeal.

As Riyadh continues to expand its cultural landscape, Minzal stands out as a space that honors the past while inviting dialogue with the present.

For visitors, the program offers not just activities, but a deeper understanding of how heritage continues to inform identity, creativity, and belonging in today’s Saudi Arabia.

The event spans four days and brings together students, families and visitors to explore a wide range of international traditions.

Held from Wednesday through Saturday, the festival aims to strengthen cultural understanding among students from more than 30 nationalities.

It creates a shared space where both Saudi and international participants can connect outside their academic environments.

Organized entirely by students, the festival features cultural booths, traditional attire displays, live performances and art exhibitions.
It also incorporates interactive experiences that introduce visitors to global customs and creative expressions.

The event is built around four themes — culture, tourism, entertainment and arts. Each theme highlights different aspects of identity, heritage and student creativity from around the world.

Building 57’s outdoor area has been transformed into a walkway lined with national flags representing Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Guests walk through rows of booths and performance stations while volunteers guide them through each display.

Student organizers say the initiative grew from a desire to create a more connected campus environment.Many international students often remain within their own communities, and the festival aims to bridge that gap.

Ziyad Al-Harbi, a mechanical engineering student who founded KFUPM WORLD, said the project began as a personal ambition to contribute something meaningful to the university.

He also noted that student exchange efforts have not been fully activated, making events like this an important step toward integration.

The festival has already drawn positive reactions from visitors who appreciate its welcoming atmosphere. Many said the event offers an accessible, engaging look into the university’s diverse student body.

Among the attendees was Ghala Hazza, a high school student, who said she found the experience warm and inviting. She noted that organizers were helpful and praised the effort behind the setup and coordination.

Inside the cultural booths, students showcase clothing, crafts, traditions and foods linked to their home countries. Some visitors stop to take photos with cultural installations, while others learn about languages and historical backgrounds.

The Chinese booth attracted significant attention with its bright red decor and traditional outfits. Booths from Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan and several other countries also provided unique cultural insights.

Near Building 70, the main stage featured traditional Saudi performances that drew large crowds. Drummers and local folk performers entertained visitors, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the evening.

Students and families gathered to watch the shows, take photographs and participate in parts of the performances. The stage area became one of the festival’s most active spaces during opening night.

KFUPM officials said the event supports the university’s broader goals of enhancing student life and promoting cultural engagement.
It also aligns with national priorities connected to Vision 2030, particularly in the fields of culture, tourism and community participation.

The festival reflects a growing trend of student-led initiatives across the university. Events such as TEDxKFUPM and large student conferences have become regular parts of campus life.

Crowds remained strong throughout opening night as visitors explored each section of the festival. Younger attendees also used the opportunity to learn more about the university’s environment.

For many international students, the event served as a chance to represent their cultural identity. For new visitors, it provided a first look into the social and cultural energy on campus.

Organizers said they plan to expand KFUPM WORLD in the coming years. They aim to include more countries, more performances and additional interactive experiences in future editions.

The season, themed “Ezek we Malfak” (Your Glory and Refuge), launched on Thursday along the beautiful banks of Wadi Safar in western Diriyah, marking another significant celebration of heritage, creativity, and unity.

The theme reflects Diriyah’s enduring legacy as the birthplace of the first Saudi state and a symbol of the Kingdom’s strength, culture, and history.

Organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), the opening ceremony was attended by Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah bin Turki, Governor of Diriyah, along with several cultural and media figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

The evening was brought to life with artistic performances inspired by the spirit of “Al-Awja,” a term deeply linked to Diriyah’s identity and the pride of the Saudi people.

Through captivating visual displays, advanced lighting, and drone shows, the story of Wadi Hanifa was beautifully told in a performance titled “I Am Al-Awja,” which left the audience inspired and emotional.

Adding to the evening’s charm, the winners of the “Rawi Al-Diriyah” (Narrator of Diriyah) program, Tamim Al-Harthi and Bader Al-Harbi, delivered interactive performances that reflected the profound connection between Saudis and their national heritage.

Their presentations, blending storytelling, music, and tradition, symbolized the deep emotional bond that unites the people of Saudi Arabia with Diriyah — the land where their nation’s story began.

The celebration also featured musical and theatrical performances showcasing Saudi folk traditions, including the Ardah and Samri dances.

These performances highlighted the diversity of Najdi culture and celebrated the artistic spirit of young Saudis, both men and women, who are keeping their heritage alive through creativity and performance.

Ahlam Al-Thunayan, director of Diriyah Season, explained that this year’s theme aims to celebrate Diriyah’s history, values, and culture in innovative ways that reflect the pride Saudis take in their roots.

She emphasized that the symbolism of Al-Awja represents the Kingdom’s continuity — linking the past with the present while inspiring future generations to preserve their cultural identity.

The season features more than 10 diverse programs over 120 days, ranging from cultural and artistic events to historical exhibitions.

Highlights include the “Hal Al-Qusour” program in the Al-Turaif district, where several historical palaces will be opened to the public for the first time, and the “Teen” program, which showcases traditional Najdi architecture.

Other attractions include the “Diriyah Novel Festival” in Al-Bujairi and “Diriyah Nights,” which bring together Saudi culinary art and international dining experiences in a lively and elegant setting.

The “Season Market” in Al-Tawali recreates the charm of old Arabian souqs, while Al-Dhuwairah district will host interactive family activities and craft workshops. Visitors can also enjoy luxury hospitality experiences with scenic views over Wadi Safar, merging modern leisure with historical elegance.

According to the DGDA, all programs are guided by principles of cultural sustainability, empowering local talents and artisans, and fostering partnerships that strengthen cultural tourism in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The goal is to position Diriyah as a living museum — a place where the past and present merge seamlessly to inspire the future.

Nasser Al-Gharbi, chairman of the Economic Families Association, praised the Diriyah Season as a shining example of how culture and community development can work together.

He noted that the season reflects Vision 2030’s objectives by empowering local communities and creating sustainable economic opportunities through cultural engagement.

Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh of the Saudi Economic Association highlighted that initiatives like the Diriyah Season help strengthen local economies, create jobs, and encourage regional investment — all key goals under Vision 2030.

The Diriyah Season ultimately stands as a proud tribute to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, creativity, and unity. By blending tradition with innovation, the festival transforms Diriyah into a vibrant cultural hub that connects generations.

It serves as a reminder that the Kingdom’s strength lies not only in its progress but also in its deep respect for its history and identity — values that continue to guide its journey toward a bright and sustainable future.