Museums Commission Calls For Participation In The Upcoming 12th Red Sea Conference On Cultural Heritage

The Museums Commission, alongside the Heritage Commission, has announced an open call for participation in the twelfth Red Sea Conference. This event is set for April 9 to 12, 2026, at the new Red Sea Museum. The museum is located in the historic Bab Al-Bunt building within Jeddah's Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014. This initiative supports Saudi Arabia's cultural and academic growth in the region.

Since its start in 2002, the Red Sea Conference has become a key international platform for studying the Red Sea as a unique historical and geographical passage. Previous editions have been hosted by esteemed institutions such as the British Museum and various universities including Southampton, Exeter, Tabuk, Warsaw, Crete, and Barcelona.

The conference will delve into diverse interdisciplinary themes. These include examining the Red Sea as a dynamic space influenced by cultural and geographical boundaries. It will also explore its significance as an ancient maritime trade route and how people have interacted with their environment over time.

Participants will investigate archaeological landscapes of ancient cities and ports. They will also discuss methods for preserving cultural and underwater heritage. Additionally, the conference will address cross-cultural interactions across Africa, Arabia, and the Indian Ocean.

The Museums Commission and Heritage Commission are inviting researchers from fields like archaeology, history, anthropology, environmental studies, and museum curation to submit abstracts by October 15, 2025. Submissions should be in English with a maximum of 300 words sent via email to [email protected]. Poster submissions are also welcome and will be evaluated by a scientific committee.

Travel Grants Available

To support scholarly research and encourage participation, five travel grants are available for researchers whose papers are accepted. These grants cover travel expenses, accommodation, and registration fees. Preference is given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.

By hosting this edition of the Red Sea Conference at the Red Sea Museum, both commissions reaffirm Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering cultural dialogue. They aim to strengthen international collaboration while highlighting the Red Sea's enduring role as a living archive of human history and civilizations.

With inputs from SPA