Where light meets heritage: How Saudi regions are illuminating culture and identity

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s landscapes are shaped not only by its geography and heritage, but also by the light that brings them to life. From ancient villages to coastal cities, light plays a role in preserving cultural identity, enhancing tourism, and supporting scientific and artistic development across the Kingdom. For the International Day of Light, observed annually on May 16, the Saudi Press Agency shoe several Saudi regions to highlight how light contributes to culture, tourism, sustainability, innovation, and the arts. Najran’s visual heritageIn Najran, light reflects the spirit of the region’s ancient villages, palm groves, and mud-brick architecture. Sunlight falling across traditional homes and stone engravings creates scenes that connect heritage with art and memory. **media[2709090,2709087]** Artists and photographers in Najran use lighting and shadows to preserve the region’s identity and cultural history through visual arts, sculpture, and photography. Visual artist Abdullah Mushabbab said lighting revives traditional decorative patterns and gives artworks emotional depth, while photographer Nasser Al-Rubaie described photography as a living archive that preserves moments, textures, and details tied to Najran’s heritage. **media[2709091]** Today, Najran continues to present itself as an artistic and cultural space where light, nature, and creativity come together to preserve memory and inspire future generations. **media[2709089]** AlUla’s illuminated landscapesAlUla has transformed its nighttime landscape through advanced lighting systems that blend modern technology with the region’s natural and historical environment. Mountains, rock formations, and mud-brick buildings are illuminated in ways that highlight AlUla’s beauty, history, and cultural identity. **media[2709101,2709098]** The Royal Commission for AlUla has adopted lighting standards aimed at reducing light pollution and preserving the region’s natural character. These include warm lighting below 2700 Kelvin, controlling lighting intensity, and reducing unnecessary upward lighting to protect wildlife and maintain clear night skies. **media[2709099,2709100]** AlUla’s lighting systems also support tourism experiences, including laser shows, drone displays, candlelit events, and interactive lighting installations. One of the region’s most notable experiences takes place at Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, where drone light shows create moving formations above historic landmarks, blending modern technology with ancient history. **media[2709103,2709102]** Jazan’s tropical beauty through lightJazan’s lighting shapes daily life across the sea, mountains, plains, and farms. Dawn and dusk highlight the region’s natural beauty and diversity, contributing to Jazan’s growing touristic appeal. **media[2709109,2709107]** The region has increasingly adopted modern lighting technologies across municipal and development projects, helping improve urban landscapes and increase energy efficiency. Lighting is also used to highlight waterfronts, heritage sites, and tourist attractions in ways that reflect Jazan’s visual and cultural identity; it even plays an important role in Jazan’s agricultural sector, where modern lighting technologies support greenhouses and improve farming productivity. **media[2709105,2709106]** Combined with the region’s climate and abundant sunlight, these technologies contribute to the success of tropical fruit farming and other agricultural production. Beyond its scientific role, light also serves as a source of artistic inspiration for writers, poets, painters, and photographers in Jazan, whose works capture reflections across Jazan’s landscapes s to showcase the region’s beauty and cultural identity. **media[2709108]**