Msalliyah Program Launches In Adhwaihrah Connecting Children With Diriyah's Past

The Msalliyah Program opens to visitors from 10:00 a.m. every day, offering interactive cultural and entertainment activities for children and families. The programme blends learning with play, giving young visitors a practical way to experience intangible cultural heritage through discovery, participation, and shared family engagement.

As one of the Diriyah Season 25/26 initiatives, Msalliyah is designed to present heritage in formats that appeal to contemporary audiences. Activities are structured to build awareness of Diriyah’s past while remaining accessible, engaging, and suitable for different age groups from early childhood to adolescence.

Diriyah Season sits within the wider strategy of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, which works to highlight Diriyah’s historical and cultural role. Through programmes like Msalliyah, the authority supports Saudi Vision 2030 by placing culture, education, and heritage at the centre of human development and community life.

The Msalliyah Program aims to deepen appreciation for Diriyah’s legacy and reinforce links to identity and tradition. By combining structured learning with enjoyable group activities, the programme encourages visitors to see heritage as part of daily life, not only as something preserved in historic buildings or museums.

A core feature of the Msalliyah Program is its focus on Najdi traditions, including handicrafts, music, storytelling, and everyday practices. These elements are presented through modern methods that encourage interaction, so children and families can handle objects, listen to stories, and participate in simple performances that reflect the culture of Najd and Diriyah.

The programme includes three main activities tailored to different age groups, along with seven educational workshops. Together, these offerings create a structured yet flexible experience that balances knowledge and enjoyment. Heritage becomes a living space where visitors can learn, play, and reflect on values linked to their cultural roots.

Diriyah Season heritage workshops and child-focused activities

The educational workshops give children, with their families beside them, a chance to explore traditional skills and values through direct experience. Sessions use heritage-based tasks to introduce crafts, stories, and community habits, enabling participants to understand how past generations lived and what shaped local customs and social relations.

"Heritage Discovery" activities take the form of a two-hour interactive adventure, during which children visit five stations and collect badges. At the end of the route, participants receive the "Diriyah Scouts Badge", recognising their completion of the journey and their engagement with the programme’s learning goals.

The "Me and My Family" experience is designed to strengthen emotional ties within households. Children and their families sit together in one circle, sharing stories, simple musical practices, and collaborative games. These sensory and creative tasks draw inspiration from Najdi and Diriyah heritage, encouraging conversation between generations and shared cultural memory.

The Msalliyah Program is hosted in the historic Adhwaihrah District, one of Diriyah’s notable neighbourhoods known for its cultural and educational character. The district is close to Al-Bujairi District, includes diverse farms, and features important landmarks such as Adhwaihrah Mosque, adding a strong historical setting to the visitor experience.

Programme organisers also place emphasis on safety and inspiration, creating spaces that support creativity and play within a secure environment. Through its mix of workshops, adventures, and family circles, the Msalliyah Program supports pride in cultural roots while contributing to Diriyah Season’s broader role in heritage and cultural exchange.

With inputs from SPA