Visitors to Souk Al-Zal, one of the zones of Riyadh Season 2022, experience unforgettable days from the beautiful past through the products offered by shops and commercial booths in this traditional market.
Visitors to the zone see rare valuables, some of which are showcased on stalls and in shops that are characterized by simplicity and brightly colored decorations that simulate the recent past. The spirit of the zone takes visitors to the time of their ancestors, stirring feelings of nostalgia and spreading happiness in the hearts of those who lived that beautiful era.
In Souk Al-Zal, the stall of Uncle Rashid Abu Hamid stands out. He spent more than 60 years collecting the rarest collectibles, including coffee pots, trays, pottery, wood and old industrial tools.
Abu Hamid, who used to work as a teacher of art education, points out that there is a close link between the arts and the acquisition of rare pieces, as his precious pieces are all the product of exquisite handicrafts, which prompted him to open his own museum, where he collects rare Najdi and traditional items.
Abu Hamid says that the market is popular with the elderly because it touches their hearts and shows them the world in which they grew up. He adds that the importance of Souk Al-Zal lies in educating visitors, introducing them to the Kingdom’s heritage, so that they realize its aesthetics, preserve it and be proud of it.
Rashid Abu Himid displays on his stall types of rare and precious coffee pots, some of which are more than 120 years old, in addition to many types of handicrafts dating back more than 50 years. He spends most of his time buying and selling traditional items, which he says are in great demand. He adds that visitors prefer to buy old coffee pots, especially those that still maintain their luster no matter how old they are.
Souk Al-Zal presents various types of carpets, in addition to winter costumes made of leather and fur, handicraft products, with an art exhibition, and many pavilions that display prayer beads and cloaks that are suitable for winter.
Souk Al-Zal is one of the 15 zones of Riyadh Season 2022, which offers visitors a range of entertainment options, as each zone is characterized by various activities and events, in shops, cafes, restaurants, games, theaters, and a number of new international experiences.