Drb: Bridging cultures, sharing stories through souvenirs
Drb: Bridging cultures, sharing stories through souvenirs/node/2520286/saudi-arabia
Drb: Bridging cultures, sharing stories through souvenirs
1 / 4
Drb has recorded more than 8,000 local designers and artisans in its database and customized in excess of 50,000 gifts — that carry memories and rich narratives of the country’s culture — for clients. (Supplied)
2 / 4
Drb has recorded more than 8,000 local designers and artisans in its database and customized in excess of 50,000 gifts — that carry memories and rich narratives of the country’s culture — for clients. (Supplied)
3 / 4
Drb has recorded more than 8,000 local designers and artisans in its database and customized in excess of 50,000 gifts — that carry memories and rich narratives of the country’s culture — for clients. (Supplied)
4 / 4
Drb has recorded more than 8,000 local designers and artisans in its database and customized in excess of 50,000 gifts — that carry memories and rich narratives of the country’s culture — for clients. (Supplied)
Drb: Bridging cultures, sharing stories through souvenirs
Updated 30 May 2024
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: Souvenirs are invaluable sentimental tokens that immortalize our travel experiences, capturing the essence of destinations and the emotions woven into our journeys.
Drb has recorded more than 8,000 local designers and artisans in its database and customized in excess of 50,000 gifts — that carry memories and rich narratives of the country’s culture — for clients.
Drb, which translates as “the Path” in Arabic, is the brainchild of Kholoud Attar, founder and CEO of Drb, and Kaaph media, a creative media house that has been a trailblazer in the country’s design and creative industry for more than 16 years.
Attar believes that the best stories are crafted by local creative minds and designers of Saudi Arabia through the medium of souvenirs.
“Drb is Saudi souvenirs and cultural corporate gifts by creatives from around the Kingdom,” Attar told Arab News.
“Through our physical store in the Saudi National Museum, which we plan to expand to more stores in key touristic and cultural areas in the Kingdom and airports, we aim to make our presence felt at the heart of key cultural events and among the curious tourists yearning for an authentic Saudi experience,” she said.
Drb’s journey began last year on Saudi Founding Day, celebrated on Feb. 22 every year, with the opening of its store within the Saudi National Museum in Riyadh.
This was followed by its debut at the Drb Caravan during Ramadan this year at King Abdullah Financial District, and the subsequent launch of the Drb website in May.
The Drb Caravan, previously owned by the late King Fahad Al-Saud, has been meticulously rebuilt to offer a Saudi cultural experience. This mobile caravan is used in key tourist locations and upcoming major events, making it accessible to tourists and visitors.
“The key objective is to empower Saudi-made design, art and artisanal pieces, and make them available and accessible to people who are looking to find the perfect Saudi gift,” Attar said, “to promote gifts that tell stories of our beautiful culture and heritage.”
The Drb Caravan offers these main elements — a souvenir store showcasing locally sourced products from across the Kingdom, a curated art space, a diwaniya and cultural programs spot for community gatherings, and a customized gifting experience for corporate clients, and a rooftop with a view of Saudi landmarks.
“Our first caravan tours in Riyadh and two more caravans will be available for AlUla and Jeddah,” Attar said.
“We have more than 1,000 products from all over the Kingdom as I personally toured the different regions and cities of Saudi Arabia to sign with designers and creatives.”
The caravan has become a hub for cultural activities, hosting book club discussions, Saudi film reviews, comedy nights, DJ sets, musical performances, chess tournaments and mini-curated exhibits.
Attar said that as Drb continued to expand, it promised to captivate and inspire both local and global audiences, one souvenir and cultural experience at a time.
“We aim to make our presence felt at the heart of key cultural events and among the curious tourists yearning for an authentic Saudi experience,” she said. “Our approach? We bring the essence of Saudi hospitality directly to you, a testament to our commitment to blending tradition with convenience.”
Russia’s Siluanov visits Saudi Arabia ahead of Russia-US talks
Updated 10 sec ago
Reuters
MOSCOW: Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov visited Saudi Arabia on Sunday ahead talks between Russia and the United States in the Kingdom scheduled for next week.
Siluanov was speaking at an event called AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund.
US and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to start talks aimed at ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine, a US lawmaker and a source familiar with the planning said on Saturday.
Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov along with Siluanov and the central bank’s governor Elvira Nabiullina held talks with President of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on February 15.
Speaking at an event, Siluanov highlighted Russia’s willingness to restructure the debt of foreign countries.
“During the last 25 years we restructured debt of 22 countries for the amount of almost $30 billion. A similar amount we had restructured through bilateral agreements,” Siluanov said.
Saudi Arabia supports Lebanon measures to restore security
Updated 16 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia expressed its full support for measures taken by the Lebanese government to confront attempts to tamper with the security of Lebanese citizens, and to deal firmly with the perpetrators of an attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“The Kingdom renewed its support and confidence in the measures taken by His Excellency President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in this regard, and the national tasks carried out by the Lebanese Army that contribute to achieving security and stability,” read a statement by the foreign ministry on Sunday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has pledged to bring the assailants behind the criminal attack on a UN peacekeeping force to justice.
A UNIFIL deputy commander was wounded on Friday when the convoy he travelled in was attacked by protesters who set his UN vehicle on fire.
Salam had directed the Lebanese interior minister to take immediate action to identify the assailants, arrest them, and refer them to the judicial body.
Supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah have clashed with the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there.
Several videos shared online show a group of young men, carrying yellow flags affiliated with Hezbollah, chase and beat what appear to be peacekeepers in a white UN vehicle as they attempt to flee.
Sandgrouse: An inspirational symbol of beauty and resilience in Jazan
Poets draw parallels between the sandgrouse’s desert journeys and human experience
Birds carry water in their feathers for their young
Updated 16 February 2025
SPA
JAZAN: The Jazan region of Saudi Arabia is a haven for a wide variety of birdlife, including the sandgrouse, a species admired for its striking crowned and striped beauty, remarkable desert adaptation, and its deep roots in Arab folklore and literature, inspiring poets and writers for generations.
From pre-Islamic poetry to modern works, the squawking sandgrouse has symbolized patience, endurance, loyalty, departure, and longing. Poets have drawn parallels between the bird’s arduous desert journeys and human experiences. One poet expresses a sense of shared hardship, comparing their own sorrow with the sandgrouse’s search for water.
The remarkable ability of sandgrouses to carry water in their feathers for their young exemplifies their dedication to nurturing their offspring. (SPA)
In Saudi literature, the sandgrouse has also become a symbol of the free spirit, constantly on the move yet ultimately drawn back to its homeland, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Jazan poet Mohammed bin Ali Al-Sanousi, a prominent figure in the region’s poetic tradition, often incorporated imagery from the local environment, including the sandgrouse, into his work. He reflects on a sense of displacement and yearning for home, echoing the sandgrouse’s migratory nature.
Beyond literature, the sandgrouse appears in popular proverbs and oral traditions, frequently noted for its speed and ability to locate water in arid landscapes. The saying, “If you see a sandgrouse, know that water is near,” illustrates its practical significance as a guide for those crossing the desert.
Jazan welcomes the sandgrouse, especially during migration seasons. These birds, capable of reaching flight speeds of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour, travel up to 50 kilometers each day in search of sustenance. Their remarkable ability to carry water in their feathers, transporting it long distances to their young, exemplifies their dedication to nurturing their offspring.
The sandgrouse is an integral part of Jazan’s cultural heritage, inspiring artists and writers, and serving as a powerful reminder of the beauty and biodiversity of Saudi Arabia’s natural environment.
Saudi, US defense ministers discuss ties during call
Their conversation focused on Saudi-American relations and strategic cooperation in the defense field
Updated 16 February 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held a telephone call with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Prince Khalid congratulated Pete on the occasion of his appointment as Secretary of Defense of the United States.
Their conversation focused on Saudi-American relations and strategic cooperation in the defense field, as well as ways to develop the cooperation for mutual benefit, as well as the efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security.
British veterans retrace epic Lawrence trek in ‘living tribute to history’
Team of 5 covered more than 1,000 km across ‘stunning’ Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Updated 15 February 2025
Nada Hameed
JEDDAH: In a journey that followed the path of one of history’s most legendary desert crossings, a British team of four endurance riders has retraced the famous route of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, across Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Their remarkable expedition, inspired by the historic trek that helped change the course of the First World War, was a feat of endurance, history and adventure.
“A few of us last year were sitting around a table and mulling what was probably the most historic camel ride in recent history, and we came up with the one from Lawrence of Arabia,” Howard Leedham, one of the riders, told Arab News. “Nobody has ever done it since Lawrence, Auda Abu Tayi, Nasib Al-Bakri and Sherif Nasir did this ride.”
Riders who trained in Tabuk during December were Martin Thompson, Riyadh resident Craig Ross, Mike Baker and James Calder, and Howard Leedham. All five riders are former British soldiers. (Supplied)
Their journey mirrored the original path taken by Lawrence and his Arab allies in 1917, beginning in Al-Wajh, Saudi Arabia, and traversing the vast desert landscapes toward Aqaba, Jordan. Along the way, the riders passed through key historical sites mentioned in Lawrence’s book, “Seven Pillars of Wisdom.”
Leedham said: “We stayed as faithful to the route as possible. We started in Al-Wajh on Jan. 14, having collected our camels from Tabuk and the LR Defenders from the Jeddah dealership … the trek took 25 days and we covered 1,100 km.”
Leedham is no stranger to extreme desert treks. “My previous experience is that I have crossed the UAE’s Empty Quarter twice on camels; each route was 640 km, which took 13 days. This was arranged by the Hamdan Heritage Center in Dubai. This is just my hobby; I run my own special situations security company serving global clients from the UAE.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• The expedition captured the true essence of the historic Lawrence route.
• Beyond the physical demands, the riders sought to reconnect with history by visiting key locations tied to Lawrence’s journey.
• The team set an ambitious target of covering 50 km a day.
The other riders who trained in Tabuk during December were Martin Thompson, Riyadh resident Craig Ross, Mike Baker and James Calder. All five riders are former British soldiers.
The team relied on modern technology to aid navigation. (Supplied)
The key historical sites they passed include Al-Wajh, A Red Sea coastal town in present-day Saudi Arabia that served as a key base for the Arab Revolt, as well as Aqaba, Wadi Rum, the Hejaz railway, Ma’an, Madinah, Wadi Bayir, Magawa Oasis and The Well of Dathna.
The expedition captured the true essence of the historic Lawrence route. The team faced tough challenges from the outset. Leedham said: “The most challenging part of the trip, to be honest, was the early days when we left Al-Wajh. We had two days transiting out of Al-Wajh toward the Hejaz Mountains and then had to climb the Hejaz Mountains in Saudi Arabia before heading up toward Fajer.”
Navigating the challenging terrain of Saudi Arabia was equally demanding. “Every single day we saw different terrain: Salt lakes, flat desert, hilly desert, volcanic formations, oasis, golden sand and red sand,” Leedham said. “The mountains in the background were so beautiful that it didn’t look real. It’s like somebody painted it.”
The expedition lasted 25 days, covering a distance of more than 1,000 km across Saudi Arabia and Jordan. (Supplied)
The team relied on modern technology to aid navigation: “We used Google Maps to plot the route in detail and then backed it up with GPS. However, we found it quite limiting due to the lack of contour information. We therefore had to pick our way through or around high ground.”
The route transited the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve, which provided permits. Rangers from the reserves helped the team.
“We applied to both of those entities and asked them if we could cross their nature reserves because really, the whole time we spent in Saudi Arabia, we were in those reserves,” Leedham said. The riders witnessed the breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity and deep historical significance of the two sites.
The British endurance team on camelback, traversing the rugged desert landscapes of Saudi Arabia, retracing Lawrence of Arabia’s 1917 route. (Supplied)
The team set an ambitious target. “We set out to cover 50 km a day, and we achieved that,” Leedham said.
Before nightfall, the riders would prepare to rest in anticipation of the next day’s journey.
The expedition lasted 25 days, covering a distance of more than 1,000 km across Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
“We came through the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve with stunning wadis and rock formations. We passed through the most beautiful oasis as well, which Lawrence actually describes in his book, ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom.’ We saw beautiful red stone, beautiful greenery, birds singing, which is all fantastic,” Leedham said.
Beyond the physical demands, the riders sought to reconnect with history by visiting key locations tied to Lawrence’s journey. “We tried to visit all the places that Lawrence mentions in his book, like the Well of Dathna, the oasis as we got over the Hejaz and Wadi Saham.”
After crossing the Nefud plain to Fajr, the riders continued northeast to the Meegowa Oasis.
From there, they turned northwest toward Wadi Al- Sirhan, stopped at Wadi Bayr and continued up to the Al-Hadithah border crossing into Jordan to rejoin Wadi Bayr toward Bayr Fort, Jafr, Ma’an, Wadi Rum and finally, Aqaba.
No such journey would be possible without the trusty ships of the desert. “We chose camels, and we had four riders and eight camels in Saudi. We got them from Tabuk and trained in December,” Leedham said. The camels became an integral part of the team, making the eventual parting an emotional moment. “We had to say goodbye to our Saudi camels, which was quite a sad moment because they’d done so well for us for two weeks.”
The team faced extreme conditions along the way. “We lived in tents and experienced temperatures from 37 to minus 5 degrees Celsius, as well as strong winds and sandstorms.”
Encounters with Bedouin were a crucial part of the journey. “We encountered Bedouin. We had leased our 10 Saudi camels from Bedouin, so they had some guys in our support team. Also, we would stop at Bedouin camps to ask for water for the camels, we were always made fantastically welcome by all,” Leedham said.
Finally, after many exhausting weeks of traveling through the desert, the team arrived at their destination on Friday.
Recreating Lawrence of Arabia’s epic journey was more than just an endurance challenge to the team. “It was a living tribute to history, a celebration of the vast and stunning Saudi and Jordanian landscapes, and a true bond between humans and camels,” Leedham said.
