Dubai Culture, UAE Falcons Federation Join Hands to Preserve Emirati Heritage

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
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Dubai Culture, UAE Falcons Federation Join Hands to Preserve Emirati Heritage

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Falcons Federation to strengthen collaboration in promoting awareness of Emirati heritage among the public, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Thursday.

Both entities will work together to organize a series of initiatives and activities focused on preserving Emirati heritage and culture, WAM said. This partnership reflects the commitment of both parties to instill a deeper sense of national identity in society and contribute to the preservation and promotion of heritage sports, the news agency added.

The MoU defines the roles of both parties, allowing the UAE Falcons Federation to use facilities at Dubai Culture's museums to organize a range of events, workshops, and activities aimed at introducing visitors and local community members to heritage sports and falconry competitions.

Mansoor Lootah, CEO of the Operations Support Sector at Dubai Culture/Acting Director-General of Dubai Culture, affirmed the importance of partnerships formed with heritage entities in the country, strengthening the role of the authority in motivating the public to explore the elements of Emirati heritage and culture in all its beauty and authenticity.

Lootah said: "Heritage sports are an integral part of our culture and history; they are customs passed on through several generations and still maintain an important role in the Emirati society. Dubai Culture is keen to introduce them by highlighting their artistic aspects, history, and presence in the local scene, contributing to raising awareness of the importance of heritage sports that we cherish."

"Falconry, as a traditional and heritage sport, is closely tied to our culture, history, and national identity. This MoU represents an opportunity to continue introducing this sport, its details, and practices, especially in light of the increasing interest of the younger generation in various technological advancements,” said Secretary-General of the UAE Falcons Federation Rashid bin Markhan.

“This amplifies our responsibility to create innovative solutions and initiatives to instill the importance of heritage sports and their noble values in the hearts of future generations. It also aligns with our joint strategic goals to promote the culture of falconry and familiarize people with its principles."



Saudi Culture Ministry, King's Foundation Sign Cooperation Agreement to Participate in Year of Handicrafts 2025

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA
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Saudi Culture Ministry, King's Foundation Sign Cooperation Agreement to Participate in Year of Handicrafts 2025

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has signed a cooperation agreement with The King's Foundation to participate in the Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative through the Foundation's School of Traditional Arts.

The signing ceremony, which was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, took place on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition (Banan), held at the Roshan Front in Riyadh.

The ministry was represented at the signing ceremony by Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, while the foundation was represented by the director of the King Charles School of Traditional Arts at The King's Foundation, Dr. Khaled Omar Azzam.

The agreement aims to revive and promote handicrafts in the Kingdom in 2025 through collaboration to prepare and implement training programs in the field of crafts in several Saudi regions. A key component of the agreement entails launching the "Regeneration of the Crafts of Saudi Arabia" program, which commences in early January 2025.
The School of Traditional Arts at The King's Foundation will develop a customized program and execute training initiatives focused on design and crafts, primarily to regenerate and renew Saudi craft traditions across different regions of the Kingdom.
The King's Foundation is a charitable, educational institution established in 1986 by Britain’s King Charles, formerly the Prince of Wales.
It aims to teach and demonstrate the principles of urban design and traditional architecture, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the people and communities at the center of the design process.
The Foundation's School of Traditional Arts places significant emphasis on traditional arts and skills through graduate programs and training courses in the creative artistic practice of these arts.
The agreement constitutes a strategic implementation of the Ministry of Culture's commitment to fostering international cultural exchange, which represents a core objective within the comprehensive National Culture Strategy under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.
Through this agreement, the ministry seeks to support the Year of the Handicrafts 2025 activities by implementing targeted training and development programs in design and craftsmanship for Saudi artisans. This initiative falls under the ministry's broader efforts to enhance craft production across the Kingdom.