Red Sea Museum opens its doors in Historic Jeddah with musical parade
Under the patronage of HRH Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and HH Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of Museums Commission, along with along with a group of their Highnesses, dignitaries, and prominent figures, the Museum Commission opened the Red Sea Museum in Bab Al Bunt building as part of the regeneration of Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The launch celebrates the transformation of the historic Bab Al Bunt building into a world-class museum dedicated to the Red Sea’s tangible, intangible, and natural heritage.
The festivities began on Friday evening with an exclusive VIP opening, featuring speeches from cultural leaders, guided tours of the museum’s permanent galleries, and a preview of The Gate of Gates, the inaugural temporary exhibition by Saudi artist Moath Alofi. Guests were treated to a performance by the Silkroad Ensemble, bringing the diverse soundscapes of the Red Sea to life.
The public opening drew large crowds to Historic Jeddah. The evening began with a series of speeches that set the tone for the celebrations, followed by a vibrant musical parade through the historic streets. Visitors will encounter over 1,000 artifacts and artworks in 23 galleries, curated across seven themes, ranging from ancient navigational tools and Chinese porcelain to sacred manuscripts and contemporary art.
The evening culminated with a screening of a documentary, following the museum’s Music of the Red Sea project, bringing together an interdisciplinary team from across the world to travel the lengths of the Red Sea, piecing together the story of the region’s diverse musical offerings.
This weekend’s events reflect the vision and ambition behind the Red Sea Museum and its role in Saudi Arabia’s cultural future, with key figures sharing their perspectives on the museum’s significance.
HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Museums Commission, emphasized in his speech at the museum’s opening that: “The Red Sea Museum celebrates the natural and cultural heritage of our region, which is rich in diversity.” His Highness pointed out that the museum “opens up a vast space for creativity and a comprehensive cultural platform that promotes dialogue between civilizations, alongside cultural and knowledge exchange, reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision and commitment to preserving its cultural and natural heritage.”
His Highness added: “It forms part of an ambitious journey to revive Historic Jeddah, with unlimited support from our wise leadership, and build a rich cultural future where various forms of culture and arts thrive.”
Ibrahim Alsanousi, CEO of the Museums Commission, said: “This museum is a testament to the Ministry of Culture’s dedication to developing museums of global significance in Saudi Arabia. Through world‑class exhibitions, research, and programming, the Red Sea Museum will serve as a hub for knowledge, creativity, and cultural exchange.”
The opening of the Red Sea Museum reflects the mission of Historic Jeddah to preserve cultural heritage in a modern, sustainable form while creating opportunities for economic and cultural growth. Established by royal decree in 2018 under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, Historic Jeddah safeguards its tangible and intangible heritage as a historic gateway to the Red Sea and a center of global trade. The Revitalizing Historic Jeddah project, launched in 2021, is transforming the area into a vibrant living space; investing in its cultural assets to inspire community pride and connect the past to the future.
As one of the flagship projects within this revitalization, the Red Sea Museum stands as a symbol of how historic preservation and contemporary cultural innovation can work hand in hand.
