Saudi Aramco Presents a Community Heritage Gallery Traveling Exhibition
- Community
- Aramco Annuitant Reunions
Author: Aramco ExPats and Heritage Gallery
Released 31 May 2006
Community Heritage Gallery Traveling Exhibition
2006 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
In celebration of the 25th Biannual Saudi Aramco Annuitant’s Reunion, marking the 50th Anniversary of the Reunions, the Saudi Aramco Community Heritage Gallery presented a traveling exhibition that showcased the exhibits and activities that it has been involved with in the last couple years.
The Community Heritage Gallery Display occupied an entire conference room and included a variety of displays that depicted the actual gallery as it is in Saudi Arabia. Reunion guests toured the exhibits while drinking traditional Arabic coffee and munching on dates.
The exhibition included:
- A display on the Community Heritage Gallery including future expansion plans
- A display on Traditional Costumes of Saudi Arabia
- A display on Traditional Bedouin Life and Desert Lore
- A collection of authentic Saudi Arabian artifacts, costumes, and traditional items
- A collection of photographs from Aramco’s Photographic archive
- A selection of framed Bedouin jewelry and coffee table books to contribute to the raffles
- A large selection of educational and informative brochures and booklets produced by the Heritage Gallery to accompany its exhibits
- A few historical films
- A selection of books from the Heritage Gallery’s educational library available for viewing
Community Heritage Gallery Traveling Exhibition
2006 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion
Photograph by Aramco ExPats
The Saudi Aramco Community Heritage Gallery located in Dhahran encourages visitors to share the histories of the people who shaped the Company and its communities, and to reflect on the rich experience of working and living in Saudi Arabia. The generous donations of memorabilia and artifacts by Aramco employees, their families, retirees, annuitants, and company departments have allowed the Gallery to preserve an impressive collection that reflects the Company’s rich history. The Gallery also presents a general history of Saudi Aramco and its communities in the form of a timeline, and many exhibits offer a history of the people of a specific department such as Aviation, Transportation, and Marine. The exhibits "focus on the harmony and cooperation among the multi-cultured work force and the role of the families living in the Company's communities."
The Gallery also houses a pioneer exhibit that tells the story of those individuals who first discovered oil in the 1930s.
"From the hemispheres, people came from rich and varied cultures, they arrived bringing along a technology that drove exciting, tumultuous events and initiated an unprecedented adventure in oil exploration that has changed the world. Aramco's pioneers undertook a voyage of discovery that set into motion extraordinary events. What happened in Dhahran and throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the heels of their expeditions in the 1930s, is an epic story of daring, perseverance, and progress."
Traditional Saudi Arabian Costumes
Reunion guests viewed a collection of beautiful costumes on display as part of the Heritage Gallery exhibit.
"The traditions of Saudi Arabian costumes are rich and ancient. The basic structure of the original garment remains almost unchanged for centuries. They are modest and functional, yet elegant and ornamental. Regional differences in tradition, custom, geography and climate are reflected in subtle variations of style."
Traditional Bedouin Life & Desert Lore
Also on display were Bedu weavings, daggers, costumes, cooking utensils, and much more, offering reunion guests a chance to discover a vanishing way of life.
"For thousands of years, the Bedouin traveled the sands of Arabia, surviving and thriving in the black hair tents that protected them from the harsh desert climate. Although they owned only what they or their animals could carry, the Bedu welcomed guests with world-famous hospitality. Learn about the legendary code of honor that guided the lives of these warriors and poets."
Heritage Gallery Traveling Exhibition
2006 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion
Photograph by Aramco ExPats