RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library has put on display “Eastern Horses,” a rare book by Waklo Rzewski published in 1821 in Arabic and French, SPA reported.
The book is one of the oldest Western studies about Arabian horses. Rzewski visited the Arabian Peninsula and Syria, socialized with Bedouins and moved between Arabian tribes. He also described the Bedouin lifestyle, and the book contains more than 400 photos depicting the culture of the desert, musical instruments and caring for Arabian horses.
The 352-page book is large with a lavish cover and a gilded title. It is printed luxuriously with decoration and carefully selected colors, as well as photos, maps and rare old manuscripts.
King Abdulaziz Public Library’s interest prompted the establishment of an equestrian studies’ center, which has presented several studies and encyclopedias concerned with Arabian horses. The center also owns a large number of studies on Arabian horses. The latest were on display during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit, with the library also exhibiting the book “Purebred Arabian Horses” by Prince Shcherbatov.