The Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2025 kicks off in the heart of history
The “Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2025” officially kicked off in Al-Ula Governorate with a grand opening ceremony held at the archaeological site of Hegra, the first Saudi site to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ceremony offered visitors an immersive experience, blending the authenticity of history with the allure of modern technology, heralding the start of a new season celebrating the rich cultural heritage of northwestern Arabia.
Al-Ula: A meeting point of civilizations on the Incense Route
AlUla has never been merely a desert oasis; it has been a vibrant center of life for millennia. Its strategic location on the ancient Incense Route made it a crossroads for trade caravans and diverse cultures. Great kingdoms and civilizations have flourished on its land, leaving their indelible mark, from the kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan to the Nabataeans, who established Hegra as the southern capital of their kingdom and constructed their monumental rock-cut tombs there. This rich history is what the festival evokes, offering visitors a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors and explore their stories etched in the annals of time.
Unique experiences at the opening ceremony
Upon arrival, attendees were greeted by the “AlUla Storytellers,” local ambassadors of oral history who pass on knowledge passed down through generations, blending it with the findings of archaeologists. These storytellers shared tales of AlUla’s pivotal role as a commercial and cultural hub, lending the experience a sense of authenticity and deep connection to the place. This was followed by a symbolic incense burning, evoking ancient customs that flourished along this historic trade route and officially launching the festival. The evening concluded with “Stories from the Sky,” where swarms of drones illuminated the skies above Hegra, weaving breathtaking light displays that narrated the region’s history and its successive civilizations.
The importance of the festival within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030
The Ancient Kingdoms Festival is an integral part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the national economy and bolster the tourism and cultural sectors. The festival is a key driver in transforming AlUla into a leading global destination for cultural and heritage tourism. Locally, the event empowers the local community by creating new job opportunities and training young talent to become part of AlUla’s success story. Regionally and internationally, the festival enhances the Kingdom’s position as a global cultural hub, attracting visitors and researchers from around the world to discover its hidden historical treasures.
Immersive events and experiences await visitors
Under the theme “Journeys Through Time,” the festival runs until December 6, 2025, offering a diverse range of experiences spanning over 7,000 years of human history. Highlights include the interactive “Incense Trail” experience, the “Secrets of Ancient Inscriptions” event at Jebel Ikmah, known as the world’s largest open-air library, and the return of the internationally acclaimed “Hijr Evening.” The festival also offers dedicated children’s tours, walking trails among unique geological formations, and the innovative “Escape House” experience in the Old Town, ensuring a comprehensive experience for the whole family.
In this context, Abdulrahman Al-Suhaimani, Vice President for Culture at the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, affirmed that “heritage for Al-Ula is not just a legacy to be preserved, but rather an essence that events contribute to reviving and showcasing to the world,” noting that these events enhance the participation of the local community and highlight local expertise at the heart of the work.
