Jeddah, Nov. 22, 2021, SPA -- The "Beit Holanda - Shared Histories" Exhibition was inaugurated at Beit Xenel in Historic Jeddah - Al Balad in the presence of Netherlands Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Matthijs van der Plas, envoys of the Indonesian Embassy, the Xenel family, and delegates of Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Historic Jeddah Program. Launched with the support of Historic Jeddah Program, the exhibition is housed within Beit Xenel, notable as one of the first concrete buildings in the historic district. Two rooms dedicated to the exhibit bring to light the unique efforts of the Dutch Consulate in Jeddah – and its community in Al Balad – in documenting Hijazi society in the early years of the 20th century. The exhibit includes a collection of rare documents, photographs and films capturing the everyday lives of the Hijazi community, and its value in conveying this heritage to current and future generations, creating a bond between the past and the present. Beit Xenel played an important role in the history of the district. Until 1950, the building served as an extension to the offices of the Dutch Consulate in Jeddah, its staff facilitating and supervising the annual flow of Muslim pilgrims from Indonesia, which was under Dutch rule at the time. Fascinated with the Hijazi culture, Consuls, as well as Dutch and Indonesian residents, documented the daily life of the community using the latest technologies available at the time, including photography, audio, and film recordings. This documentation, also present in the most prominent libraries and museums of the Netherlands, reflects the true nature of Al Balad and paints its history with the colors of unity. The revival of heritage sites owes its progress to the support and insistence of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to protect, preserve and rehabilitate the nation's historical sites in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Historic Jeddah Program is committed to safeguarding the legacy of our shared past, securing sustainable development that supports the needs of the community, and thereby contributing to improving the quality of life of every citizen. --SPA 20:44 LOCAL TIME 17:44 GMT 0028 www.spa.gov.sa/w1654808