The ancient coastal town of Al Balad in Saudi Arabia has stood witness to the Kingdom's evolution since the seventh century. Once a major Red Sea port on the Indian Ocean trade route, and the historic gateway for seafaring pilgrims on their way to Mecca, it was a place for exchange: of ideas and culture.
Al Balad was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014 for its colourful Hijazi architecture - stacked structures that combine the coral-stone building traditions of the Red Sea with ornate wooden balconies and windows typical of western Saudi Arabia. A need for modern amenities saw families moving north into present-day Jeddah, but now, thanks to the vision of the Jeddah Historic District Program, an initiative established in 2018 under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, Al Balad is set to evolve into a leading cultural hub.
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Central to the revitalisation plan is a clutch of historic properties that have been painstakingly reimagined as heritage hotels. Staying true to their original layouts, the buildings have been impeccably reinvigorated thanks to the skills of local artisans, carpenters, makers and historians, who have ensured that a stay here is a true immersion in Al Balad's storied legacy. It's part of a wider restoration plan that will give a new lease of life to 13 more abandoned buildings by 2027.
As part of the roadmap for restoring the creative legacy of Al Balad, a raft of cultural platforms have been established to transform one of Saudi Arabia's oldest enclaves into a microcosm of multiculturalism: international music festivals such as MDLBEAST have launched Balad editions; pop-up bazaars and home-grown cafes line its maze-like streets: and a raft of art platforms are being established.
Jeddah Exhibition Balad Al-Fann Brings Andrés Reisinger’s Billowing Digital Art to Life
Amongst them is Balad Al-Fann, a new grassroots arts initiative; organised under the non-profit Athr Foundation, its first edition (which concluded in March) boasted art exhibitions, musical and theatre performances, craft workshops and culinary experiences. Abdulaziz Alissa, director general of the Jeddah Historic District Program, elaborates: “Balad Al-Fann is driven by the aspiration to revive the district and restore it to its glory days, recapturing its charm and significance as a cultural destination.”
“The initiative – which is to become a yearly highlight – will unfold across several locations around the old town, including Sharbatly House, Zainal House, Gotta House, Al Nawar House and a few other heritage houses which are amongst the historical landmarks of the district,” explained Hamza Serafi, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Athr Foundation. “[This] showcases the vibrant culture of Jeddah Historic District, serving as an inspiring haven for artists, creative minds, and visitors drawn to the enchanting essence of the area.”
Al Balad in Saudi Arabia drew global attention when Barcelona artist Andrés Reisinger (known for his surreal bubblegum-pink landscapes), resurrected his digital series Take Over - featuring images of buildings draped in blush fabrics and fur - during Balad Al-Fann. Covering the exterior of an old building in layers of pink textile, blurred the lines between the real and virtual realms.
Bringing together international names and leading local artists (including Bashaer Hawsawi, Latifa AlBokhari and Filwa Nazer) under one umbrella, the festival unfolded across several heritage locations. “The vision for this beautiful place is really to turn it back into an arts and culture hub,” says Eman Muharrak, project manager of Balad Al-Fann. “Somewhere you can come, sit in a coffee shop, walk into a gallery, meet artists, and get inspired by and support these creators.”
