The Manuscripts Exhibition…a knowledge journey that documents the cultural and scientific heritage in the Kingdom

A unique experience, presented by the Saudi Manuscripts Exhibition, to explore the cultural and civilizational heritage that extends for more than 1,200 years, highlighting the efforts made by the Kingdom in preserving the manuscripts available in various educational institutions, which constitute more than 27% of the manuscripts in the Arab world.
The exhibition, organized by the Libraries Authority in the capital, Riyadh, during the period from November 28 to December 7 of this year, under the slogan “Stories told for a lasting legacy,” included a variety of accompanying activities, including workshops presented by an elite group of scholars and researchers, and with the participation of those interested in manuscript heritage. To learn the importance of manuscripts, techniques for preserving, restoring, digitizing and archiving them, in addition to studying and analyzing them.

Saudi Manuscripts Exhibition

The Saudi Manuscripts Exhibition is unique in its unique copies of the Holy Qur’an. Calligraphers have excelled in decorating its pages. It also displays examples of manuscripts dating back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, allowing them to see the development of the writing of the Holy Qur’an before and after calligraphy, and with different types of scripts.

Among the rare manuscripts included in the exhibition is Diwan Al-Ahnaf Al-Akbari, which dates back more than 800 years and is preserved in the King Fahd National Library.
The exhibition also includes important historical books such as “The Title of Glory in the History of Najd”, which is the only second known copy, “The Masterpiece of the Arbiter for the One Who is Not Present by a Doctor”, a copy of “Sunan Abi Dawud” in the handwriting of King Al-Muhsin Ahmad bin Sultan Saladin Al-Ayyubi, and a copy One of the landmarks of Sunan preserved at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University.

Scientific and cultural movement in the Kingdom

The exhibition gave visitors the opportunity to explore a variety of manuscripts classified according to science and knowledge, which include multiple fields such as religious and literary sciences, in addition to experimental sciences such as mathematics and astronomy, as well as reflecting the scientific and cultural movement in the Kingdom through the manuscripts that were written and circulated in the first and second Saudi states. .

By organizing this exhibition, the Libraries Authority worked to attract visitors and those interested in manuscripts at the local, regional and international levels, including readers, researchers, manuscript owners, and content creators, in addition to library employees and relevant authorities.

The exhibition aims to highlight the Kingdom’s role in preserving the manuscript cultural heritage and facilitating its dissemination locally and in the Arab world, which contributes to cultural and economic growth in this field. It also seeks to enhance awareness of the importance of manuscripts and their cultural history, as an extended cultural heritage that must be preserved for future generations.