Saudi Arabia's Camel Year 2024 Initiative Participates in 'Banan' Week

The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels
The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels
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Saudi Arabia's Camel Year 2024 Initiative Participates in 'Banan' Week

The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels
The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels

The Year of the Camel 2024 initiative, a Ministry of Culture project, participated in the Saudi International Handicrafts Week (Banan) Exhibition at Riyadh's Roshn Front with a pavilion informing the public about the initiative and celebrating camels as a key component of Saudi culture.
The pavilion at Banan presents educational content about camels through panels and a display screen. It also features prominent rock engravings scattered across the Kingdom, reflecting the importance of camels from pre-Islamic times, early Islamic periods, and subsequent eras.
The pavilion also showcases some camel-related products typically made by craftspeople, such as the "shaddad," a wooden seat placed on the camel's hump for the rider, and the "khirj," consisting of two attached bags placed over the shaddad and hanging down its sides to store the rider's personal belongings.
This participation is part of the activities and efforts of the Year of the Camel 2024 initiative, through which the Ministry of Culture aims to celebrate camels in both local and international forums and introduce visitors to camels as a historical source of pride for Saudis.
The year 2024 has been named the Year of the Camel in celebration of the cultural and civilizational significance of camels and in recognition of their esteemed status in Saudi society and their enduring connection with the people of the Arabian Peninsula throughout history.



Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Japan Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA
The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in fostering cultural exchange. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Japan have strengthened their commitment to cultural collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Dr. Toshiko Abe.

The agreement, signed during Prince Bader’s official visit to Japan, represents a significant milestone in deepening bilateral relations and fostering cultural exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Culture Ministry on Friday, the MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing and collaboration in diverse cultural fields.
To foster mutual understanding and appreciation, the two parties are committed to promoting cultural exchanges, including exchange of experts in various cultural fields and organizing programs, workshops, and seminars for intellectuals, cultural specialists, and artists from the two countries, said the statement.

Prince Bader emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This collaboration underscores the shared vision of Saudi Arabia and Japan to preserve, celebrate, and advance cultural understanding,” he said. “By joining forces in areas such as heritage preservation and artistic innovation, we not only honor our histories but also inspire future generations to embrace creativity and cultural exchange.”

The MoU builds upon the longstanding tradition of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage. It reinforces the two countries’ commitment to fostering innovation while preserving their culture, paving the way for deeper engagement and collaboration.

During a meeting, Prince Bader and Abe discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the Japanese side to train Saudi students in the art of "Manga" comics.