Zawiya 97

An understanding and appreciation of the unique cultural identities and characteristics of a Albalad, to create vibrant and inclusive spaces. By recognizing the diverse cultural expressions, traditions, and histories, this approach aims to foster a sense of belonging, and connection among its residents and visitors. Cultural placemaking not only revitalizes physical spaces but also cultivates a deeper understanding and engagement with the community, promoting social cohesion and sustainable development.

Zawiya97, located at a 97 degree angle from Jeddah to Makkah where it creates a conjunction, is a merging point of Culture, Heritage, Art, and crafts.

Moreover, it is a quest to merge culture and economy using placemaking tools to actualize the process of transforming heritage into a sustainable platform for the creative economy dreamers.

Zawiya 97 incubates creative endeavors of every length and breadth. From events, workshops, and residencies in the fields of the music, the arts, and fields in between, Zawiya 97 also aims to revive the traditional crafts that were present in historical Jeddah and in Al-Balad by extension. With specific focus on the adjacent alleyways of Zugag Al-Kayyal, Zugag Al-Attara, and Zugag Al-Layyat, Zawiya 97 aims to stay true to each of the alleyways’ namesakes and histories by reviving their respective traditional crafts.

A standing symbol of the metaphysical representation of inhaling and exhaling, its initiatives embody how Mecca, in the past, has inhaled these groundbreaking notions, then exhaled it to Jeddah and the world at large.