Storytelling has been part of Arabian identity for centuries. Long before books, television, and digital media, stories were shared across majlis gatherings and outdoor cafés, passed from one generation to the next. In that spirit, the Diriyah Storytelling Festival 2025 has returned to Al Bujairi, celebrating the region’s rich storytelling past while embracing the way narrative arts have evolved in the modern era. The festival’s second edition runs for two weeks and brings together writers, thinkers, artists, poets, educators, families, and audiences who believe in the power of stories to preserve heritage, inspire imagination, and build communities.
A festival rooted in tradition and shaped by modern creativity
The Diriyah Storytelling Festival 2025 is part of Diriyah Season and has been designed to position Diriyah as a leading cultural and creative hub in the region. The festival showcases how stories—whether spoken, written, visual, or performed—continue to shape society and influence how people see themselves and the world around them.
Unlike many literary events that focus purely on books or academic panels, this festival takes on a more immersive approach. The programme includes performances, readings, multi-sensory installations, recorded experiences, workshops, and hands-on sessions. The atmosphere is far from formal. Visitors stroll through outdoor walkways, enjoy relaxed public seating areas, and move freely between creative pavilions, discussion spaces, and cultural activations.
It is a festival that feels modern yet grounded in history—exactly what Diriyah aims to represent as it continues its transformation into one of the region’s major creative capitals.
Al Bujairi: the perfect place for creativity
Hosting the festival at Al Bujairi is not a coincidence. The district has long been a meeting place for thinkers, intellectuals, and poets and remains a living reminder of traditional Najdi culture. The historic architecture and stone pathways provide a visual narrative of their own, enriched with the warmth of heritage buildings, courtyards, and community spaces.
Located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the setting gives the festival a sense of authenticity that can’t be replicated inside closed halls. Visitors can enjoy the blend of old and new—heritage surroundings enhanced with modern installations, lighting, and interactive elements. It mirrors the evolution of storytelling itself: rooted in the past, dynamic in the present, and always moving forward.
A packed schedule: workshops, talks, performances, and more
The festival’s programme brings a level of scale that reflects the rapid cultural growth of Saudi Arabia. Across two weeks, visitors can explore:
- More than 40 workshops
- Over 20 lectures and panel discussions
- More than 30 speakers
- Sessions in both Arabic and English
The variety makes the event inclusive. Families with children will find storytelling sessions designed to spark imagination. Aspiring illustrators can learn from professionals. Emerging writers can receive guidance on developing characters, building structure, and strengthening technique. Scholars and industry professionals can participate in discussions about the future of publishing and the role of Middle Eastern narrative arts in global culture.
This blend of accessibility and depth is something audiences in Dubai would recognise from festivals like the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, which has helped shape Dubai’s own literary landscape. Like similar events in the UAE, Diriyah’s storytelling festival takes a broad approach—showing that literature is not limited to bookshelves or classrooms, but lives in sound, performance, memory, and media.
Majlis Ar-Rawi and the return of communal storytelling
One of the most distinctive features of the festival is Majlis Ar-Rawi, an experience inspired by the traditional storytelling gatherings of the past. Each day, a new story is explored, discussed, and unpacked through narration and shared reflection.
This kind of setting highlights the emotional side of storytelling. Instead of scripted lectures or fast-paced talks, attendees sit together, listen, absorb, and exchange interpretations—something that naturally connects to Arabian cultural tradition.
For visitors used to fast-paced digital life, it is a refreshing reminder that listening is as much part of storytelling as speaking.
Interactive installations bring literature to life
The festival also includes creative installations that invite visitors to participate rather than just observe. Among the standouts:
Tell Us a Story
Guests are encouraged to record personal reflections, memories, and small stories in a quiet environment. These collected narratives become part of a larger collective memory—showing that everyone has something to share.
Who’s the Storyteller?
A playful book vending machine hides covers and titles. Readers pick a book without knowing what it is, making the experience driven by curiosity rather than branding. It transforms reading into a guessing game and helps people explore literature outside their usual habits.
Diriyah Between the Lines
Visitors select small capsules containing short story excerpts and hidden messages. This installation connects the power of words with the joy of discovery.
The Giving Shelf
Those with old books at home can donate them. It is a simple idea but reinforces an important message: stories are meant to be shared, passed on, and kept alive through new readers.
The Storytellers’ Forum
A dedicated literary corner with six pavilions allows visitors to connect with the world of books in a culturally rich setting. These pavilions are spaces for discussions, exploration, reading, and direct engagement with authors and experts. Visitors can browse, interact, and step deeper into the world of narrative arts at their own pace.
Dates, timings, and venue details
- Location: Al Bujairi, Diriyah
- Dates: Until 29 November
- Timings: From 5pm onwards
- Ticket cost: Starting from SAR 115
The Diriyah Storytelling Festival 2025 blends heritage, creativity, and modern imagination in a way that feels authentic and deeply connected to the region. It shows that storytelling is not just a form of entertainment but an essential part of identity and community. Whether you love books, enjoy cultural experiences, want a family outing, or simply appreciate the art of stories, the festival offers something meaningful to take away.
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