Oud makers celebrate the ancient instrument
STORY: Riyadh's recent oud exhibition was a haven for
lovers of the ancient stringed instrument
Date: March 11, 2023
in a country where the public appreciation
of music has been slow to make an entrance
Locator: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
(Ali al-Ali, Exhibition visitor)
“Thank God, now with the openness and development that we are witnessing and the interest in music and artists from everywhere in the world, everyone is benefiting from this exhibition and this openness. It made it easier for artists as previously oud makers would work remotely, and people would buy the oud remotely, now you can buy your oud after you test it out with your own hands. If you bought it remotely, you might not like it, but now thank God, everything is available, and we have lots of choices.”
The three-day exhibition was aimed at
preserving the history of the ancient instrument
with 13 pavilions displaying different types
of ouds, some valued at more than $2,500
Saudi society has seen relaxed restrictions
for such events in recent years