عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Buraydah to Participate in UNESCO’s 2024 Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in Thailand

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Buraydah will join 70 other creative cities worldwide at the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference 2024, held in Thailand from May 9th to 12th. Through its participation, Buraydah aims to strengthen its global presence and programs as a creative city within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

Secretary General of Qassim Chamber Mohammad Al-Hanaya stated that Buraydah's participation in the conference is part of the file plan of Buraydah Creative City, supported and organized by the chamber.

The Qassim Chamber, in collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission, is responsible for managing and implementing the technical aspects of this file. Buraydah Creative City is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in gastronomy, SPA reporte.
Al-Hanaya highlighted the commitment of the Saudi leadership to ensuring the Kingdom's active and influential presence in international events across various fields, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Executive Liaison Officer for Buraydah Creative City at UNESCO Sulaiman Al-Geffari stated that the city's participation in the conference in Phuket, Thailand, aims to achieve the objectives of joining the Creative Cities Network.

Buraydah will be among more than 70 creative cities in the field of gastronomy from different countries at the conference, with the presence of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, Al-Geffari added.
The city seeks to enhance cooperation among member cities, exchange experiences and initiatives, showcase best practices, and explore avenues for developing enhanced elements of creativity and innovation for sustainable urban development, Al-Geffari stated.

Furthermore, Buraydah aims to foster partnerships between gastronomy cities within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network during the conference.

In 2021, Buraydah became a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy, making it the first Gulf city and the second Arab city to join the network.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Italy’s Vintage Trains Lure Tourists off Beaten Track 

Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Italy’s Vintage Trains Lure Tourists off Beaten Track 

Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Passengers on the vintage carriage "cento porte", which means hundred doors in English, look through the windows at the train station in Palena, Italy July 21, 2024. (Reuters)

As it rolls across Italy's central regions, a vintage diesel locomotive towing carriages from the 1930s and 1950s crosses the forests of the Majella National park and the Abruzzo highlands, giving tourists on board a glimpse of hidden hamlets.

Across its just over 100 kilometers (62 miles), the so-called Italian Transiberian rail line, also known as the Park Railway, slips into gorges, snakes into 58 tunnels and braves huge viaducts.

It was the first of some 1,000 kilometers of line to have re-opened under a project by Fondazione FS, part of state-controlled national rail company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS).

The "Timeless tracks" project takes tourists to forgotten parts of Italy, offering an alternative to the fast-paced, mass tourism of the major cities.

"These are tracks that have lived through different eras, they have carried soldiers to the front, cows to pasture... they were mistakenly considered unproductive during the 1960s and 70s but are now once again of value," Luigi Cantamessa, who heads Fondazione FS, told Reuters.

Inspired by train travel in Switzerland, the project now carries 45,000 tourists a year across its 13 lines. Fondazione FS expects to open two new ones by 2026, both in the southern region of Sicily.

"What were considered to be the dry branches of Italy's train network, have now proved to be the green shoots," Cantamessa added.

NO FROZEN PIZZAS

"People are used to cities and places, like Florence, that everyone knows.. but then there are other areas that need to be discovered. (This) is the right kind of tourism that does not spoil the authenticity of places," said Norma Pagiotti, a 28-year-old from Florence travelling on the train with two friends.

With arrival numbers above pre-pandemic levels, popular European travel destinations including Venice have introduced measures aimed at managing visitor numbers amid rising concerns about overcrowding.

"The train reminds me of my youth, I feel a bit nostalgic for the things of the past, which were simpler, now everything is fast, short-lived," says Caterina Quaranta, from Taranto in southern Italy, sitting on the wooden seats of the train.

The trips attract Italians and foreigners, a lot of families and children, younger people who get off to hike and cycle, and older people "who have time to spare", explained Laura Colaprete, a local guide.

"It's for those who don't want mass market, cluttered destinations. A conscious traveler, who is looking for something special," said Cantamessa of Fondazione FS. "These are not trips that serve you frozen pizza for lunch," he added.

FOLK MUSIC AND LOCAL FOOD

After climbing up almost 1,000 meters in altitude, the Transiberian's first stop is in Palena, a medieval hill-top town known for its breathtaking views over the national park.

Traditional folk music accompanies people getting off the train, with local delicacies such as lamb skewers and soft pancakes made with an iron mold, known as pizzelle, and products by local artisans awaiting them at the station.

"The train helps several small towns around here. This line was a dead line before," said Gino Toppi, 60, as he helped his wife with the food stall in the small station.

Milan's Bocconi University recently estimated that for every euro spent by passengers on tickets - which cost between 30 euros and 70 euros ($32.50 - $76)- up to a further 3 euros are spent on food, accommodation, tours and souvenirs.

That helps to support the economy of villages that have long lost population due to the dwindling birth rate and younger people leaving for the bigger cities

"There certainly are benefits, this is a way to show my products," said Annalisa Cantelmi, a herbalist.

"These tourists are slowly discovering these new territories, their traditions and people," she added.