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Morocco's Malhun on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

A group of Moroccan artists playing music (UNESCO)
A group of Moroccan artists playing music (UNESCO)
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Morocco's Malhun on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

A group of Moroccan artists playing music (UNESCO)
A group of Moroccan artists playing music (UNESCO)

UNESCO will be including Malhun, a popular poetic and musical art, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, announced Morocco's Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
Malhun originated in the Tafilalet region in southeastern Morocco, dating back to at least the tenth century. It may have emerged in zawiyas, religious orders, and places for those of faith before spreading to society.
The listing is an international recognition of the authentic Moroccan heritage and a reference to the ancient Moroccan identity and cultural component.
The international recognition is a confirmation of Moroccan efforts under the leadership of King Mohammed VI to conserve the cultural heritage.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Samira Malizi thanked the evaluation committee and the secretariat of the 2003 agreement for including Malhun on the list.
Malhun is a popular form of poetic expression in Morocco. The verses are sung in dialectical Arabic and sometimes Hebrew.
They are accompanied by music played on traditional instruments, notably the lute, the violin, the rebab, and small drums.
Including Malhun on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an acknowledgment of its humanitarian significance and of Morocco's efforts to preserve its intangible cultural heritage.
It also rewards the great collective work the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication carried out in cooperation with the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and Morocco's Permanent Mission to UNESCO.
According to the file submitted by the UNESCO Nominations Commission, Malhun is a popular form of poetic expression directly drawn from daily life, developed according to a specific type of poetic meter. The poems are sung in a melody that gives the words and the narration their full importance.
According to specialists, the term's etymology has two possible explanations. It could refer to the use of a language without observing grammatical restrictions or the Arabic word "lahen" (melody), meaning "musical composition."

 

 

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Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
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Jazan Culture House Highlights the Role of Translation in Promoting Saudi Literature Globally

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA
The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers - SPA

The Cultural House in Jazan held a cultural meeting yesterday evening titled “The Importance of Translating Saudi Literature.” Participants discussed the role of translation in introducing Saudi literature to local and international audiences, and its impact on strengthening its presence and highlighting the richness and diversity of Saudi creative expression, SPA reported.

The meeting reviewed the state of Saudi literary translation, past and present, highlighting the challenges facing translators and publishers.

Speakers emphasized the importance of adhering to professional and ethical standards when translating literary works into other languages.

The discussion also underscored the role of translation in enabling local literature to reach a global readership, thereby fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the Kingdom’s literary identity on the international stage.

This meeting is part of a series of cultural programs designed to enrich the literary scene, raise awareness of translation-related issues, and create platforms for dialogue among intellectuals and those interested in cultural affairs.

Culture

Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla Discovers Rare Fossils Dating Back 465 Million Years

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA
The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced the documentation and international publication of a scientific discovery of rare horseshoe crab fossils dating back approximately 465 million years, as part of a peer-reviewed study published in Gondwana Research, a leading international journal specialising in geological sciences.

This unique fossil discovery has been published globally for the first time, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a world-class center for geological and scientific research related to Earth’s history and biodiversity. The fossils were discovered in AlGharameel Nature Reserve in AlUla, adding a significant scientific dimension to the understanding of the region’s natural history, SPA reported.

The fossils date to the Middle Ordovician period, approximately 485–444 million years ago, making them among the oldest known horseshoe crab fossils worldwide. They are distinguished by their exceptionally large size compared to other specimens from the same period. All fossils were found preserved upside down, a mode of preservation not previously recorded, alongside trace fossils indicating attempts by the organisms to return to their natural position. This provides rare evidence of ancient behavioural patterns and enables their interpretation in light of contemporary biological knowledge, supporting advanced scientific research.

According to SPA, geological stratigraphic analysis indicated the recurrence of intense seasonal storms during that period, suggesting that these organisms congregated in shallow coastal environments affected by such events, which contributed to their preservation within sedimentary deposits.

These findings offer a clear picture of AlUla’s ancient coastal environment and add a new scientific perspective to understanding its geological and environmental history. They also highlight the commission’s capacity to provide accurate data that supports scientific research and innovation in the study of AlUla’s natural heritage.

The discovery also represents a previously unclassified species, investigated through two research phases in collaboration with a team led by Dr Russell Bicknell, an academic at Flinders University in Adelaide. The second phase, scheduled for the first half of 2026, will include the collection of additional samples and further study of the new species in preparation for its formal scientific classification. The fossil specimens have been preserved within RCU’s museum collections to support future research and public engagement.

The findings reflect the Royal Commission for AlUla’s commitment to advancing scientific transformation, strengthening AlUla’s position as a global destination for scientific discovery and geological research, enabling international partnerships, and developing research and educational programmes related to natural heritage.

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Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
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Levant Pavilion at Makkah Global Village Showcases Rich Cultural Heritage

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA
The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge - SPA

The Levant pavilion at the Global Village, part of the Makkah winter events, is offering an integrated experience that reflects the depth of Levantine civilization and the richness of its cultural, artistic, and social heritage.

The pavilion takes visitors on a rich journey through authentic customs and traditions, featuring live performances and scenes that recreate details of traditional Levantine life, alongside displays of folk costumes and traditional handicrafts that express the region’s identity and historical continuity, SPA reported.

It also includes a diverse collection of handmade products, traditional accessories, and artistic pieces, set within an atmosphere that evokes the spirit of old marketplaces.

The pavilion also presents interactive showcases highlighting the region’s history and civilizational legacy, blending entertainment with knowledge.

The pavilion is part of the village’s vision to enhance cultural exchange and highlight the civilizations of different peoples, in line with the objectives of the Makkah winter events to offer diverse tourism and cultural content that enriches visitors’ experiences and reflects Makkah’s status as a destination that blends authenticity and culture.