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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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Syrian Culture Minister Visits Madinah Research and Studies Center

Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh at the Madinah Research and Studies Center. (SPA)
Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh at the Madinah Research and Studies Center. (SPA)
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Syrian Culture Minister Visits Madinah Research and Studies Center

Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh at the Madinah Research and Studies Center. (SPA)
Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh at the Madinah Research and Studies Center. (SPA)

Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh visited on Thursday the Madinah Research and Studies Center, where he reviewed the center's scientific and cultural work and projects, as well as its efforts to document the history of Madinah and preserve its heritage and civilizational legacy.

He toured the center's facilities and specialized library, reviewing its wealth of sources, references, and scholarly collections dedicated to the history, landmarks, and heritage of Madinah, as well as the knowledge and research services it provides to researchers and those interested in the city's history.

He also visited the Rare Photographs of Madinah Exhibition, where he viewed part of its collections documenting the historical and urban developments the city has undergone.

Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh tours the Madinah Research and Studies Center. (SPA)

Saleh was briefed on the center's efforts to collect, preserve, catalog, and make available historical sources, documents, and photographs, in addition to its work in research, documentation, and scholarly publishing.

He reviewed its efforts to preserve the history of Madinah and the Two Holy Mosques, along with their historical, cultural, and civilizational heritage.

The minister praised the center's scientific and cultural role and its efforts to preserve the history and heritage of Madinah and safeguard historical sources and materials related to the Two Holy Mosques.

He commended its contributions to supporting scientific research, enriching knowledge, and preserving cultural heritage.

Culture

Saudi Coffee Celebrates Its Cultural Heritage on International Coffee Day

These efforts contribute to preserving this heritage and strengthening its economic and cultural presence - SPA
These efforts contribute to preserving this heritage and strengthening its economic and cultural presence - SPA
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Saudi Coffee Celebrates Its Cultural Heritage on International Coffee Day

These efforts contribute to preserving this heritage and strengthening its economic and cultural presence - SPA
These efforts contribute to preserving this heritage and strengthening its economic and cultural presence - SPA

Saudi Arabia commemorated its cultural heritage as Saudi coffee renewed its authenticity on International Coffee Day, observed worldwide on October 1 each year, reflecting customs and traditions, as well as the values of generosity and hospitality.

Saudi Arabia is among the world's highest coffee consumers, with Saudi coffee served as a cultural element symbolizing the noble values that characterize the Saudi people, including generosity and warm hospitality, according to SPA.

Coffee cultivation and production in Saudi Arabia are receiving growing attention as part of efforts to develop the agricultural sector, promote local products, support farmers, and improve production quality.

These efforts contribute to preserving this heritage and strengthening its economic and cultural presence.

They also promote coffee at events and festivals, highlighting local crops and the experiences of farmers and producers, enhancing communication between producers and consumers, and introducing Saudi coffee to younger generations as part of the cultural heritage.

Culture

Royal Institute of Traditional Arts Launches Third Edition of Wrth Camp in Aseer

The camp offers three training tracks: traditional stone building, traditional hand embroidery, and metal art - SPA
The camp offers three training tracks: traditional stone building, traditional hand embroidery, and metal art - SPA
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Royal Institute of Traditional Arts Launches Third Edition of Wrth Camp in Aseer

The camp offers three training tracks: traditional stone building, traditional hand embroidery, and metal art - SPA
The camp offers three training tracks: traditional stone building, traditional hand embroidery, and metal art - SPA

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) has launched the third edition of Wrth Camp in Aseer Region, running from October 1 to 31, with the participation of 50 trainees from across the Kingdom.

The camp offers three training tracks: traditional stone building, traditional hand embroidery, and metal art.

Participants will learn the fundamentals and techniques of each craft, culminating in three collective artworks inspired by the region's architecture and heritage, and receive an accredited certificate from the institute upon completion.

This edition follows previous camps held in Madinah and Al-Ahsa, reflecting the institute's commitment to diversifying locations across the Kingdom and strengthening trainees' connection to each region's cultural identity.

Founded in 2021, Wrth qualifies national cadres in traditional arts, supporting the sustainability and preservation of Saudi cultural heritage.