Heritage
A selection of reports on the heritage projects we have supported and funded in the field of Islamic Art, Heritage and Culture since we were founded in 1987
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News: Diriyah Biennale Foundation announces Hajj Terminal in Jeddah as the location for first-ever Islamic Arts Biennale
Curatorial Team from left to right: Sumayya Vally, Dr. Julian Raby, Dr. Saad Alrashid, Dr. Omniya Abdel Barr, Diriyah Biennale Foundation Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, 6 June 2022: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation (DBF) is proud to announce that the inaugural edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale will take place at the iconic Hajj Terminal in Jeddah from 23 January to 23 April 2023. A distinguished international multidisciplinary team will curate the Biennale under the theme [...]
Dr Sadra Zekrgoo
Dr. Sadra Zekrgoo received his PhD in Materials Conservation from the University of Melbourne in 2018, and his M.A. in Conservation of Fine Arts, specializing in paper conservation, from Northumbria University (UK) in 2012. He is an art conservator and researcher who has studied traditional Persian writing inks and artist [...]
New Podcast: Ephemeral Palaces and Eternal Poetry of Iraq with Matt Saba
Join Matt Saba for a fascinating conversation about the magnificent palaces built by the Abbasid Caliphs of Iraq. This dynasty realised that kingdoms invariably rose and fell, and that the longest lasting legacy of their reign would be literature. Matt Saba is Visual Resources Librarian for Islamic Architecture at [...]
Ask The Expert: Nikolaos Vryzidis
This month's expert, Nikolaos Vryzidis, is postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of History and Archaeology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He received his PhD from SOAS, University of London with a thesis on the Greek Orthodox Church's use of Ottoman textiles. His scholarly work primarily explores issues of [...]
Episode 12: A Game of Thrones in Medieval Egypt with Tarek Swelim
Professor Tarek Swelim shares a remarkable period in history full of political conflict, treachery, intrigue and, of course, beauty: Mamluk Egypt. Join us on this inspiring journey to discover the story of this fascinating dynasty. Dr. Tarek Swelim is Associate Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture and Coordinator of [...]
Episode 13: The Sanctuary at the Heart of Islam with Simon O’Meara
The Kaaba is the sanctuary at the heart of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, where millions of pilgrims head each year, and towards which the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims pray. Join Dr Simon O’Meara for a fascinating conversation about the Kaaba and the different ways Muslims have written about it [...]
Episode 14: China and the Other with Nixi Cura
Nixi Cura gives us a comprehensive insight into the different ethnicities and minorities that form modern-day China, and reflects on the importance of trade in building up tolerance and harmonious coexistence within the country. Nixi Cura is a Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London. She read East Asian Studies at [...]
Paul Reynolds
Paul Reynolds (from 2006, ICREA/Universitat de Barcelona) is a leading specialist in Roman to late Antique and early Islamic ceramics, trade networks and economic history of the Mediterranean, based primarily on the archaeological evidence for the production and distribution of table wares, amphorae and kitchen wares. Following a B.A. degree [...]
Episode 15: Rethinking Identities — Iran and Beyond with Sussan Babaie
Join Dr Sussan Babaie in an illuminating conversation about how we, as societies, deal with misconceptions and stereotypes regarding our own past and cultures. Dr Babaie uses the example of Iran to reflect on these and other issues such as identity, education and the rethinking of cultural boundaries. Sussan [...]
Episode 16: A Matter of Perspective with eL Seed
eL Seed works in the public sphere, for the people and - most of the time - with the people. During this conversation, eL Seed sheds light on his career, his projects democratising art, and on his roots, to reveal the ingredients that form his unique sense of perspective on [...]