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Saudi Arabia Registers 'Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area' on UNESCO World Heritage List

The Kingdom successfully inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in the Riyadh Region on the UNESCO World Heritage List. SPA
The Kingdom successfully inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in the Riyadh Region on the UNESCO World Heritage List. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Registers 'Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area' on UNESCO World Heritage List

The Kingdom successfully inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in the Riyadh Region on the UNESCO World Heritage List. SPA
The Kingdom successfully inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in the Riyadh Region on the UNESCO World Heritage List. SPA

The Saudi Minister of Culture, Chairman of the Heritage Commission, and Chairman of the National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, has announced that the Kingdom successfully inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in the Riyadh Region on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural site of outstanding universal value to humanity.

The announcement was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, from July 22 to 31.

The Al-Faw Archaeological Area is located in Wadi Al-Dawasir Governorate, south of the Riyadh Region. It spans a protected area of 50 square kilometers, surrounded by a buffer zone covering 275 square kilometers. The site lies at the intersection of Rub' al-Khali (Empty Quarter) desert and the terrain of the Tuwaiq Mountain, forming a narrow corridor known as "Al-Faw."

Prince Badr said that the inscription of the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw reflects the strong support and attention given to Saudi heritage by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He explained that the registration of cultural heritage elements, both tangible and intangible, with UNESCO is a testimony to the deep historical roots of the Kingdom and its pioneering role in serving the shared global human heritage under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes the importance of celebrating the national identity, with tangible and intangible cultural heritage being one of its major components.

"The Kingdom recognizes the importance of heritage, its preservation, and its promotion worldwide in order to establish a solid foundation for the present, chart a roadmap for future endeavors, and support the Heritage Commission in developing national heritage assets," the Prince said.

With the registration of the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia includes: Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (2018), At-Turaif District in ad-Diriyah (2010), Hegra Archaeological Site (2008), Ḥima Cultural Area (2021), Historic Jeddah (2014), and the Rock Art in the Hail Region (2015).

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Culture

Zawiya 97 Celebrates Saudi National Day with Craft, Artistic Experiences in Historic Jeddah

The craft workshops drew on elements of Saudi identity and heritage - SPA
The craft workshops drew on elements of Saudi identity and heritage - SPA
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Zawiya 97 Celebrates Saudi National Day with Craft, Artistic Experiences in Historic Jeddah

The craft workshops drew on elements of Saudi identity and heritage - SPA
The craft workshops drew on elements of Saudi identity and heritage - SPA

Zawiya 97 in Historic Jeddah celebrated Saudi National Day through a range of craft and artistic experiences and interactive activities inspired by local heritage and national identity, in an atmosphere combining the authenticity of the place with artisans' creativity.

The events featured short craft experiences that allowed visitors to practice a range of crafts and arts, including screen printing on fabrics, plaster engraving, drawing a map of Saudi Arabia on coffee cups, and clay shaping to make prayer beads and bracelets, SPA reported.

The activities also included live demonstrations of woodturning and plant distillation, along with experiences for assembling the "Manjour," inspired by the traditional architecture of Historic Jeddah. National musical performances and a photography corner added to the interactive atmosphere.

The craft workshops drew on elements of Saudi identity and heritage, including handmade clay construction, shaping a pottery plate inspired by the palm tree, and making a candle inspired by the Saudi coffee cup, decorated with details from local heritage.

Culture

Visual Artists Mark Saudi National Day with Vision 2030 Mural in Al-Ahsa

Visual Artists Mark Saudi National Day with Vision 2030 Mural in Al-Ahsa
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Visual Artists Mark Saudi National Day with Vision 2030 Mural in Al-Ahsa

Visual Artists Mark Saudi National Day with Vision 2030 Mural in Al-Ahsa

A local culture and arts association in Al-Ahsa Governorate created an art mural on Saudi Arabia's journey under Saudi Vision 2030, as part of Saudi National Day celebrations in Al-Ahsa Governorate.

The event included creating artworks on two obelisks the same height as the mural, with 25 artists involved, SPA reported.

The participation is part of an exhibition of a number of visual artworks, as well as live painting sessions in front of visitors, contributing to enriching the artistic scene accompanying the Saudi National Day celebrations.

Culture

US Returns Stolen Antiquities Worth $5 Million to Syria

The Palmyran stone was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage site Palmyra before ISIS members destroyed much of the city from 2015 to 2017. (Reuters)
The Palmyran stone was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage site Palmyra before ISIS members destroyed much of the city from 2015 to 2017. (Reuters)
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US Returns Stolen Antiquities Worth $5 Million to Syria

The Palmyran stone was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage site Palmyra before ISIS members destroyed much of the city from 2015 to 2017. (Reuters)
The Palmyran stone was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage site Palmyra before ISIS members destroyed much of the city from 2015 to 2017. (Reuters)

US officials announced Wednesday the return of 36 stolen antiquities to Syria, including a stone trafficked during the ISIS group's destruction of the ancient site of Palmyra.

Authorities seized the items, collectively valued at more than $5 million, from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and several ancient art collectors.

"Repatriation ceremonies are a powerful reminder that preserving cultural heritage transcends any border or nationality," said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The Palmyran stone was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage site Palmyra before ISIS members destroyed much of the city from 2015 to 2017, according to a press release.

Weighing more than 450 kilograms, the carved limestone sculpture depicts a reclining male surrounded by a woman and three children.

The United States has returned looted antiquities over the years to several countries, including China, Greece and Italy.

Mohammad Kanatri, Syria's charge d'affaires in Washington, said the transfer demonstrates how "a shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage can build lasting bridges between our two countries."

"Through Syrian-American cooperation, a part of Syria's history is finally returning home thanks to the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office," he said in a statement.

Four of the antiquities were seized from American collector Michael Steinhardt, who in 2021 returned about 180 items stolen from around the world as part of a deal with the US government. The pieces had a total value of $70 million.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office said the 13 items seized from the Met were among 402 antiquities valued at $98.7 million that it has taken from the cultural institution since 2017.