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Saudi Ministry of Culture Celebrates Yemeni Orchestra in Riyadh

The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) further enhanced the evening with a photographic exhibition showcasing its efforts to preserve heritage. - SPA
The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) further enhanced the evening with a photographic exhibition showcasing its efforts to preserve heritage. - SPA
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Saudi Ministry of Culture Celebrates Yemeni Orchestra in Riyadh

The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) further enhanced the evening with a photographic exhibition showcasing its efforts to preserve heritage. - SPA
The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) further enhanced the evening with a photographic exhibition showcasing its efforts to preserve heritage. - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, hosted a cultural celebration of the Yemeni Orchestra at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh. The event was attended by Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Altouq and Yemen's Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Moammar Al-Eryani.
According to a press release issued by the Culture Ministry, the event showcased the Yemeni musical and cultural heritage, blending traditional melodies with contemporary compositions. Famous Yemeni artists delivered captivating performances that highlighted the abundant musical traditions of Aden, Sana'a and Hadhramaut, alongside Saudi musicians, revealing the two nations' shared cultural legacies, SPA reported.
According to the release, the orchestra, conducted by known Yemeni composer Mohamed Al-Ghoom, performed in two 45-minute sets. Captivating audiences, the first segment opened with the lively rhythms of Mizmar Al-Habish, followed by beloved songs such as Nabdh Al-Madhy and Ma Alina. The second segment began with Amwaj Alliqa, transitioning seamlessly to songs that trailed including the Yemeni Medley and Ghaddar Allayl. The celebration concluded with a medley of Saudi songs, comprising classics such as Watani AlHabeeb and Anta Malek. The show ended with a heartfelt rendition of Yemen's national anthem, Watan.
In addition to the musical performance, the event featured activities organized by the Music Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture.
Attendees visited exhibitions where traditional musical instruments such as the oud, qanun and simsimiyya were on display.
The commission also participated with the Saudi Music Memory initiative, which documents and preserves the Kingdom's musical history up to the mid-1980s and the Saudi Trouq initiative, with musical performances blending traditional instruments from Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) further enhanced the evening with a photographic exhibition showcasing its efforts to preserve heritage.
The celebration underscores the Kingdom's commitment to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration. By highlighting the abundant heritage of the two nations, the event further strengthened cultural ties and offered a unique musical experience that celebrated their shared heritage and bond.

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US Embassy to Yemen Announces 2 Initiatives to Preserve the Country's Cultural Heritage

The historic Al-Qahira Castle in Taiz. Photo: X
The historic Al-Qahira Castle in Taiz. Photo: X
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US Embassy to Yemen Announces 2 Initiatives to Preserve the Country's Cultural Heritage

The historic Al-Qahira Castle in Taiz. Photo: X
The historic Al-Qahira Castle in Taiz. Photo: X

The US Embassy to Yemen has announced two significant initiatives dedicated to preserving and restoring Yemen’s invaluable cultural heritage.

The Embassy said in a statement that in partnership with the Yemeni Ministry of Culture, it launched a significant restoration project for the historic Al-Qahira Castle in Taiz.

Funded by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the initiative will focus on the restoration of key areas and the reconstruction of its museum destroyed during the conflict, said the statement.

Al-Qahira Castle, a landmark of Yemen’s rich cultural history, stands as a testament to the nation’s resilience and heritage.

“This castle is not just a monument; it is a symbol of Yemen’s rich and diverse history and cultural resilience. Preserving Al-Qahira Castle ensures that future generations of Yemenis will have access to their shared history and heritage,” said US Ambassador Steven Fagin.

Fagin also emphasized the collaborative spirit behind this project: “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, our committed implementing partners, the local community in Taiz who have shown tremendous cooperation and enthusiasm in this preservation effort.”

The US Mission, with support from the Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grant (CPAIG), also launched a project aimed at preventing the illicit trafficking of Yemeni cultural heritage, said the statement.

“The initiative, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Interior, will help establish a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated to combatting illegal cultural property trafficking,” it said.

“The project will provide capacity-building programs, enhance regional and international cooperation, and foster local community engagement through educational campaigns and public outreach,” it added.

Fagin said the project underscores America’s shared commitment to preserving Yemen’s cultural heritage for future generations. “We are honored to work alongside the Yemeni government in this vital effort to protect Yemen’s historical and cultural identity.”

Accoridng to the Embassy statement, the initiative builds on the US-Yemen Cultural Property Agreement signed in August 2023, which enforces US import restrictions on Yemeni cultural materials, further solidifying bilateral cooperation in heritage preservation.

“Both initiatives highlight the crucial role of cultural heritage in Yemen’s social and economic fabric and the global importance of preserving the country’s rich historical legacy,” it said, vowing to remain “steadfast in its commitment to protecting and promoting Yemen’s cultural treasures for the benefit of future generations.”