Coinciding with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's National Day celebrations, the King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh is opening a unique cultural and historical exhibition entitled "The Origins of Horses ." This special exhibition, which will run until the end of August 2026, aims to highlight the rich heritage of horses and horsemanship in Arab and Saudi culture by showcasing a wide array of rare artifacts and intellectual treasures collected by the library over four decades.
A legacy deeply rooted in the history of the Kingdom
The Arabian horse occupies a pivotal place in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, serving not merely as a means of transportation or warfare, but as a symbol of nobility, pride, and chivalry. Horses have been inextricably linked to the history of the Saudi state since its earliest stages, accompanying the founders on their journey to unify the country. This exhibition underscores this profound connection, offering visitors and researchers a rare opportunity to delve into the history of horsemanship through documents, manuscripts, and photographs that tell stories from a rich past.
Rare treasures and unique manuscripts
The exhibition features priceless artifacts from the library's equestrian center, which houses over 12,000 diverse items. Among the highlights are:
- The Abbas Pasha I Manuscript (1848 AD): A historical document of great importance, which documents in detail the purebred horse lineages of the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, and mentions their names, their stables, and their owners, making it an essential reference for horse genealogists in the world.
- The book "Oriental Horses" (1821) is an artistic and scientific work by Vaclav Rzewski, published in Arabic and French. It is considered one of the earliest Western studies on Arabian horses. The book contains more than 400 photographs and drawings documenting desert culture and the origins of horse care.
- The manuscript “The Title of Glory in the History of Najd” by the historian Ibn Bishr, which refers to the role of horses in the first and second Saudi states, thus providing a documented historical perspective.
- International photos and documents: The exhibition includes a collection of rare photos taken by the British Princess Alice during her visit to the Kingdom in 1938, in addition to rare international drawings, and historical books such as the book “Purebred Arabian Horses” by the Russian Princess Sherbatova (1900), which is considered the first scientific statistic of horse breeds in the region.
Cultural and historical significance
The “Horse Origins” exhibition is more than just a window into the past; it is a significant cultural event that strengthens national identity and connects new generations with their ancestral heritage. It also contributes to solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a global center for preserving the heritage of purebred Arabian horses, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to safeguard and promote cultural heritage. The exhibition’s continued success over the years provides a greater opportunity for researchers and equestrian enthusiasts from within the Kingdom and abroad to visit and benefit from its wealth of knowledge, thus fostering cultural dialogue and specialized tourism.
