In Derna, the saqia—a traditional aqueduct —was not merely a tool for irrigation, but a vital lifeline: the source of fertility and prosperity. Along its channels, the city’s gardens flourished, its markets thrived, and life unfolded in its streets and alleys. From this symbol, Al-Saqia for Culture and Heritage draws its purpose: to build a bridge between the past and present, and to revive the memory of place in order to shape a future worthy of Derna’s grace. Just as the saqia once brought people together around water, we gather today around Derna’s culture and heritage—to quench the thirst of new generations for identity and belonging.

The color choice was inspired by the Shalfi pomegranate, a unique fruit native to Derna.Its rich hue and distinctive rind embody one of the city’s symbols—radiating the scent of the earth and the character of place.