AlUla and Smithsonian Launch ‘Resident Narrator’ Cultural Program

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has launched the “Resident Narrator” program, a cultural initiative in partnership with the Asian National Museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., featuring Saudi narrators Atef Al-Balawi and Widad Yassin. The program, announced on August 16, 2026, marks the first public initiative under the cooperation agreement between RCU and the Smithsonian, aiming to strengthen cultural dialogue and introduce AlUla’s unique civilizational heritage to international audiences.

Context and Background

AlUla, a region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has long been a crossroads of ancient civilizations and a key node on the Incense Route, which facilitated the trade of frankincense, myrrh, and other valuable goods. The Royal Commission for AlUla was established to preserve and develop this historic region, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural and heritage assets. The “Resident Narrator” program is part of a broader collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, underscoring AlUla’s role as a living museum and a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.

Key Details

The program consisted of three interactive sessions held at the museum, attended by visitors, families, art curators, guides, and heritage experts. The narrators used storytelling and heritage interpretation techniques to present AlUla’s cultural landscape and historic sites, with a special focus on the region’s role as a central hub of civilizational exchange along the Incense Route. Activities included an innovative “Story vs. Story” experience in partnership with UNESCO, a public lecture titled “AlUla and the Incense Route: An Ancient World in Dialogue,” and a family program for children and youth called “Once Upon a Time on the Incense Route.”

The program also facilitated professional exchange between RCU teams and their Smithsonian counterparts, emphasizing best practices in heritage interpretation and audience engagement. Additionally, the narrators highlighted the narrative of the upcoming Museum of the Incense Route in AlUla, providing international audiences with a preview before its official opening.

Implications and Impact

This initiative reinforces Saudi Arabia’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to cross-cultural dialogue and heritage preservation. By bringing AlUla’s stories to the Smithsonian, the program enhances mutual understanding between Saudi Arabia and the international community, particularly in the United States. The “Resident Narrator” program also builds on previous appearances by AlUla narrators at major global venues, including Beijing, UNESCO’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and UNESCO headquarters in Paris, expanding AlUla’s cultural footprint worldwide.

For the United States, the program offers an opportunity to experience Arab heritage through a modern, interactive lens, strengthening cultural ties between the two nations. The collaboration with the Smithsonian, a leading global cultural institution, provides a significant platform for AlUla to attract tourism and investment, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader aims to diversify its economy and promote cultural exchange.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The “Resident Narrator” program directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes preserving national heritage and enhancing the Kingdom’s cultural presence internationally. By empowering men and women of AlUla and showcasing their skills on global stages, the initiative contributes to the development of local talent and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities. It also reinforces AlUla’s positioning as a leading global destination for culture and heritage, a key pillar of Vision 2030’s Quality of Life Program. Through such partnerships and cultural exchanges, the Kingdom is realizing its ambition to become a hub for cultural diplomacy and intercultural dialogue, bridging civilizations and fostering a prosperous future for all.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the “Resident Narrator” program?

A1. The “Resident Narrator” program is a cultural initiative by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, featuring Saudi narrators to present AlUla’s heritage to international audiences through interactive sessions and storytelling.

Q2. When was the program announced?

A2. The program was announced on August 16, 2026, as part of ongoing cultural cooperation between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institution.

Q3. Who are the narrators involved in the program?

A3. The narrators are Atef Al-Balawi and Widad Yassin, two Saudi cultural guides who combine oral heritage, historical knowledge, and archaeological findings to offer engaging and authentic interpretations.

Q4. Where did the program take place?

A4. The program took place at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., home to the Smithsonian Institution, and involved sessions with museum visitors and specialists.

Q5. What is the significance of the program?

A5. The program is the first public initiative under the cooperation agreement between RCU and the Smithsonian, fostering cultural dialogue and showcasing AlUla’s unique role as a crossroads of civilizations and a hub on the Incense Route.

Q6. How does the program relate to the Incense Route?

A6. The program highlights AlUla’s historical role as a major center for trade and cultural exchange along the Incense Route, which connected the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean and beyond, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and ideas.

Q7. What activities were included in the program?

A7. The program included three interactive sessions, a UNESCO-partnered “Story vs. Story” experience, a public lecture titled “AlUla and the Incense Route: An Ancient World in Dialogue,” and a family program for children called “Once Upon a Time on the Incense Route.”

Q8. Why is the collaboration with UNESCO significant?

A8. The collaboration with UNESCO adds an international dimension to the program, aligning AlUla’s heritage interpretation with global standards and reinforcing its status as a site of universal cultural value.

Q9. How does the program contribute to cultural diplomacy?

A9. By presenting AlUla’s heritage to international audiences, especially in Washington, D.C., the program strengthens mutual understanding and cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States, exemplifying soft power and people-to-people diplomacy.

Q10. What is the role of the narrators?

A10. The narrators serve as cultural guides, blending oral traditions with historical and archaeological insights to transform heritage narratives into interactive, dialogue-based experiences that engage visitors in a more personal and immersive way.

Q11. How does the program support local talent?

A11. The program empowers men and women from AlUla by providing them with international exposure and professional development opportunities, showcasing their skills and knowledge on a global stage.

Q12. What is the connection to the Museum of the Incense Route?

A12. The program is linked to the future Museum of the Incense Route in AlUla, offering a preview of its narrative and generating interest among international audiences before the museum’s official opening.

Q13. How does the program fit with Vision 2030?

A13. Vision 2030 aims to preserve Saudi heritage and enhance the Kingdom’s cultural presence globally; this program directly supports these goals by promoting AlUla’s heritage and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s cultural diplomacy.

Q14. What other global venues have hosted AlUla narrators?

A14. AlUla narrators have previously presented at venues such as Beijing, UNESCO’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and UNESCO headquarters in Paris, expanding the region’s cultural reach.

Q15. Why is the program described as a “living museum” approach?

A15. The program embodies RCU’s vision of AlUla as a living museum open to the world, using interactive storytelling and direct engagement to bring history to life.

Q16. Who were the target audiences for the sessions?

A16. The sessions were designed for museum visitors, families, art curators, guides, and heritage experts, ensuring broad engagement and professional exchange.

Q17. What is the “Story vs. Story” experience?

A17. It is an innovative activity organized in collaboration with UNESCO, where participants share and compare stories from different cultures, fostering dialogue and highlighting shared human experiences.

Q18. How does the program support women’s empowerment?

A18. By featuring a female narrator, Widad Yassin, and emphasizing the participation of women from AlUla, the program aligns with RCU’s goals of empowering women and promoting their contributions internationally.

Q19. What was the highlight for children?

A19. The family program “Once Upon a Time on the Incense Route” was tailored for children and youth, combining storytelling and interactive activities to introduce them to AlUla’s heritage in an engaging way.

Q20. How can people learn more about the program?

A20. More information about the program and upcoming cultural initiatives can be found on the official websites of the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, or by following their social media channels.

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