Description
An RSAA lecture with Richard Wilding.
Richard Wilding will be well known to members of the society through previous talks he has given about his work with heritage and cultural identity in Iraqi Kurdistan, North-East Syria and Saudi Arabia. In this illustrated talk, Richard will describe the dramatic changes he has witnessed since he first travelled to Saudi Arabia. With unparalleled access a decade before the arrival of international tourists, he travelled throughout the Kingdom, documenting its rich archaeology, stunning landscapes, historical architecture and traditional costumes.
Since Richard’s journey began in 2010, Saudi Arabia has been transformed economically, culturally, and socially. The Kingdom’s vulnerable heritage, vanishing artisanal crafts and diverse regional identities are now being preserved and revitalised through the development of heritage tourism. Experience the unfolding story of Saudi Arabia’s captivating past and its promising future, as Richard Wilding’s photographs reveal the beauty, diversity, and unique essence of the ‘heart’ of Arabia.
