Genius of a Place: Alseer, Abha book series is an invitation to embark on an exceptional immersive journey across time and space to unravel the soul of a historical and cultural village in the heart of Arabia. Located in Abha region, in the southern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, al-Muftaha Village was once an area vibrant with life, creativity, and artistic ingenuity: positioned amid an exceptional landscape surrounded by green hills and purple-colored jacaranda trees, this traditional village with its distinctive architectural style of mud-composed, white and turquoise-painted small houses, was in the 1980s a hub for artists and creatives. Here, amid the passage ways built according to the region’s traditional construction style, stood studios and exhibition spaces, where artists unleashed their creativity and talent. For a long time, al-Muftaha Village brought together artists and artisans passionate about photography, traditional crafts, and fine arts. Closed for some years, al-Muftaha Village has preserved its authentic character: its colorful buildings and cozy ambiance stand witness to its once lively spirit and pioneering creative experimentations. As part of its efforts to establish cultural assets that promote culture as a way of life, the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia has worked on the restoration and renovation of al-Muftaha Village. In parallel, and with the purpose of preserving the unique cultural and historical value of al-Muftaha Village, the Ministry of Culture commissioned four artist photographers and four writers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, and Europe to capture the soul and memory of al-Muftaha Village. The result is an astonishing collection of rare images accompanied by a compelling narrative, that take the reader on a visual voyage uncovering the “genius of the place” called al-Muftaha. Composed of four small books, Genius of a Place: Alseer, Abha not only exhibits the architectural beauty of Al Muftaha, but also magically reveals the sense of the place by combining poignant images with a compelling narrative; photographs of empty alleys, abandoned studios, and the famous Talal Al Maddah Theater – once the landmark of al-Muftaha – all capture the “sense of the place” and reminisce the lively spirit of this village now turned still.