Diriyah Founding Day Celebrations Highlight Generosity As A Core Principle

Diriyah is marking Founding Day under the slogan "Founded on Generosity", with a programme that links heritage, education and culture across its historic districts. Diriyah Gate Development Authority is organising events on 21 and 22 February, giving visitors structured opportunities to explore the origins of the Saudi state and understand how generosity, unity and security remain central values.

The activities span At-Turaif District, Samhan District, Adhwaihrah District and the Al-Tawalie area, where tailored experiences combine guided tours, storytelling and workshops. Through these locations, organisers aim to connect visitors with the first stages of state-building and highlight how community solidarity and charitable work shaped Diriyah’s role as the birthplace of the Saudi state.

Within At-Turaif District, a specialised guided experience offers two separate historical routes that explain leadership roles and community partnership during the founding era. Each route uses storytelling to explain how construction and stability were secured in the early state, with a focus on the actions of rulers and community figures who supported social cohesion and public welfare.

The first historical route, called "Path of the Founder", focuses on Imam Muhammad bin Saud and explains how Imam Muhammad bin Saud laid the foundations of the First Saudi State. The route also describes the way Imam Muhammad bin Saud strengthened its political structures and social base, helping to embed concepts of security, justice and shared responsibility among residents.

The second route, "The Path of Princess Modhi bint Sultan", looks at the role of Princess Modhi bint Sultan, the spouse of Imam Muhammad bin Saud. This route highlights how Princess Modhi bint Sultan supported society, encouraged charitable work and embodied generosity, presenting Princess Modhi bint Sultan as one of the most prominent examples of community partnership during the founding period.

Diriyah Founding Day family activities and themed events

A series of themed sessions offers further educational content. The "Samrah" programme presents storytelling sessions run by a professional narrator, tracing major milestones in the history of the First Saudi State from its establishment to the present. These sessions use an accessible format to introduce visitors to the state’s legacy and deepen their understanding of Diriyah’s long-running national role.

The "Mssyan" programme provides academic sessions on Diriyah and how the First Saudi State expanded. Specialists present political and social analysis of the founding era, aiming to strengthen historical awareness among attendees. "Al-Midad Sessions" adds cultural discussions on Diriyah’s founding period, with experts in the history of the First Saudi State examining key events, decisions and social developments.

The "Giving of Security" programme offers educational sessions on defensive methods that emerged when Diriyah was being established, explaining how security was organised and maintained. Alongside these adult-focused activities, children’s events include storytelling with interactive workshops, a puzzle challenge that encourages learning through play, and the "Crafts of Giving" programme, where children learn traditional crafts that contributed to building and sustaining Diriyah.

The artistic side of Founding Day is seen in the "Generosity in Giving" activity, where visitors design a mural inspired by Sbalat Modhi and write personal messages on inherited generosity and giving. Equestrian shows also feature, presenting the purebred Arabian horse and outlining its cultural and historical importance as a symbol of authenticity and strength in Diriyah and the wider Kingdom.

The overall programme is designed to highlight the historical weight of Founding Day and its link to Diriyah as the birthplace of the Saudi state. Through high-quality events and interactive cultural experiences, Diriyah Gate Development Authority seeks to reinforce identity and belonging, while enabling visitors to follow key milestones of the founding era and appreciate the continuing importance of generosity in national life.

With inputs from SPA