The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between Taif and Jeddah through a special panel discussion featuring heritage experts, artists, and cultural practitioners.
Held under the title “Majlis Jeddah: The Essence of Taif in Historic Jeddah,” the session explored the long-standing relationship between the two cities across trade, music, architecture, and cultural heritage.
Deep Historical Connections
Participants emphasized that the relationship between Taif and Jeddah stretches back for generations.
Historic Jeddah played a central role as a major trade gateway in western Saudi Arabia, connecting goods, merchants, and travelers from across the region and beyond.
Meanwhile, Taif contributed through its agricultural and natural products, becoming an important part of the broader economic and cultural ecosystem linked to Jeddah.
Cultural and Tourism Integration
The session highlighted how both cities complement each other in shaping Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity.
Jeddah reflects historic markets and maritime heritage, while Taif offers farms, roses, and mountain landscapes.
Together, the two cities create a rich cultural and tourism experience blending heritage, nature, arts, and cuisine.
Strong Artistic and Heritage Presence
The discussion also focused on Taif’s influence on Saudi Arabia’s artistic identity, particularly through the legacy of legendary Saudi musician Tariq Abdulhakim.
Speakers noted that Taif’s natural environment and cultural heritage deeply shaped his artistic vision and musical journey.
Traditional music and heritage arts were also highlighted, especially Al-Majrour, one of Taif’s most iconic traditional musical forms.
Perfumes and Hijazi Heritage
The panel also explored the shared sensory heritage of Taif and the wider Hijaz region, particularly in perfumes and traditional cuisine.
Special attention was given to natural products associated with Taif, including:
- Taif roses
- Wormwood
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
These products continue to play an important role in traditional perfume-making and regional cultural identity.
Red Sea Museum as a Cultural Hub
The event concluded with a live performance of traditional Taif music and a demonstration of natural perfume extraction.
The Red Sea Museum continues to serve as a vibrant community hub through public programs, workshops, and exhibitions aimed at preserving and celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.
