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Symposium in AlUla Outlines Recommendations to Protect Vulnerable Heritage Sites from Fires

The symposium brought together 80 national and international experts in fire management and heritage conservation. (SPA)
The symposium brought together 80 national and international experts in fire management and heritage conservation. (SPA)
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Symposium in AlUla Outlines Recommendations to Protect Vulnerable Heritage Sites from Fires

The symposium brought together 80 national and international experts in fire management and heritage conservation. (SPA)
The symposium brought together 80 national and international experts in fire management and heritage conservation. (SPA)

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and its strategic partner, the Saudi International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), have issued key recommendations for protecting people and preserving history at cultural heritage sites during the AlUla Symposium on Fire Risk Management at Historic and Heritage Sites.

Hosted recently in AlUla, the symposium brought together 80 national and international experts in fire management and heritage conservation, and provided a platform for critical discussions on fire prevention, mitigation, and response strategies specifically designed for historic and cultural sites, which will inform future development of policies and procedures across AlUla’s landmark cultural sites.

Experts shared best practice, case studies, and innovative technologies, emphasizing a holistic approach that prioritizes the safety of occupants, visitors, surrounding communities, and the landmarks themselves, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The symposium focused on balancing historic structures heritage preservation with fire safety. Discussions covered the implementation of fire codes like the Saudi Historical Building Code while respecting the unique character of old buildings and maintaining their structural integrity during fires, to protect occupants.

Case studies presented at the event, such as the 2019 Notre Dame fire, highlighted the need for comprehensive fire safety planning and innovative collaboration.

Experts presented practical strategies including fire risk assessments, community training, and tailored roadmaps for specific locations, demonstrating how proactive risk management can protect both lives and heritage.

Chairman of Saudi ICOMOS Princess Nouf bint Mohammed bin Fahad emphasized the urgent need for preventative measures.

“Fires pose an existential threat to priceless historical and heritage sites, endangering their authenticity, integrity and the values they represent. The negative effects of fires on historical and heritage sites remind us of the urgent need to work to prevent such disasters,” she added.

The recommendations from the symposium will guide RCU’s ongoing efforts to improve fire safety at AlUla’s heritage sites, contributing to the broader goals of Vision 2030 and establishing AlUla as a global leader in heritage conservation.

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Morocco's Women Rug Weavers Battle to Save Age-old Craft

Women in southern Morocco have kept on the tradition of weaving carpets despite its meagre earnings - AFP
Women in southern Morocco have kept on the tradition of weaving carpets despite its meagre earnings - AFP
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Morocco's Women Rug Weavers Battle to Save Age-old Craft

Women in southern Morocco have kept on the tradition of weaving carpets despite its meagre earnings - AFP
Women in southern Morocco have kept on the tradition of weaving carpets despite its meagre earnings - AFP

In southern Morocco, women are the guardians of the age-old craft of carpet weaving, an intricate art form that often leaves them with meagre earnings.

Women like Ijja Benchri, who creates carpets on a wooden weaving loom outside her small home in the village of Taznakht, follows traditions going back many generations.

"I started when I was 11 or 12, imitating the women I saw weaving," said Benchri, 60.

Known for their bold geometric patterns and vibrant colors, the handwoven rugs are a fixture in local markets and a favorite among tourists.

In 2022, traditional carpets accounted for nearly 22 percent of the kingdom's artisan exports, according to government data, AFP reported.

The mountain villages around Taznakht are famous for their Ait Ouaouzguite carpets, named after a native Amazigh tribe, one among a grouping of several communities indigenous to North Africa long referred to as Berbers.

The carpets are woven by the women on small traditional looms, either at home or in specialised workshops.

They are then categorized into various styles, depending on their region of origin and their designs.

Some of Morocco's finest rugs are crafted from high-quality sheep wool in Jbel Sirwa just south of the Atlas Mountains, and dyed using natural pigments from plants like henna, pomegranate peels, or indigo.

Though industrial dyes have replaced natural ones for most weavers because they are cheaper and can be produced more quickly.

"This tradition has been handed down for centuries, from mothers to daughters," said Safia Imnoutres, who leads a local women's weaving cooperative.

She was one of the women showcasing their creations at a recent festival in Taznakht dedicated to safeguarding the heritage.

- 'Comes from within' -

Creating a single carpet can take two to four weeks depending on its size, said Benchri, speaking in Tamazight, the community's language recognized as an official language alongside Arabic in Morocco.

"I choose the colors as I go, according to my feelings," she added.

Imnoutres also described the process as "instinctive", guided by emotion rather than a predetermined design.

"Weaving is an expression of the women's feelings, when they are joyful, when they are melancholic," she added. "It's an art that comes from within."

But beyond its artistic value, weaving is a vital source of income.

Every Thursday, many travel to a weekly market to sell their rugs, often to middlemen who set the prices.

On average, a large rug sells for just 250 Moroccan dirhams (around $24), with its final price later raking astronomical profits.

In cities like Marrakech, some 250 kilometres (160 miles) north of Taznakht, they are sold in bazaars for up to ten times the original price.

Other rugs are listed at up to $6,000 on online platforms.

"We earn very little," said Benchri. "The intermediaries decide the price, and we have no choice but to accept it because this is our livelihood."

These diminishing returns, she added, have contributed to making the craft less attractive for younger women and jeopardising the handcraft tradition.

Additionally, the influx of cheaper, machine-made rugs has deepened competition.

To address these challenges, a new exhibition space in Taznakht allows some weavers to sell their work directly to buyers, cutting out middlemen.

The center also tries to open new avenues for these women to sell their products independently through courses in digital marketing.

"If this heritage isn't made financially viable, we risk losing it," Imnoutres warned.