Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates has recorded a new cultural and historical achievement by successfully including four additional heritage elements in the Representative List
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at UNESCO.
This award was announced during the 20th meeting of
the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in New Delhi.
This confirms the leading position of the state in protecting human heritage.
Diversity of heritage and strengthening Arab ties
The inclusion of these elements comes as a culmination of tireless efforts;
the art of “Al-Ahla” has been registered as a purely national file
that expresses the popular Emirati performing arts.
At the same time, “the bisht”, “the bride’s procession”, and “kohl” were listed as common Arab files,
reflecting the depth of the cultural ties that unite the Emirates with its Gulf and Arab surroundings.
An exceptional achievement for Al Sadu
In a remarkable development, the committee approved the transfer of the “Sadu” element
from the Urgent Safeguarding List to the Representative List of the World Heritage.
This transformation is an international recognition of the success
of the sustainable conservation programs implemented by the country since 2011.
These efforts resulted in protecting this art from extinction
and transforming it into a living and active part of contemporary cultural life.
Cultural leadership vision
For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture,
affirmed that this step enhances the global presence of national identity.
He pointed out that the transfer of the Sadu file is the result of joint work between institutions and society.
Furthermore, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak,
Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi,
emphasized the emirate’s commitment to preserving living heritage,
He considered that this success highlights the role of craftsmen
and rising generations in renewing heritage practices to keep them vibrant.
A proven track record of achievements
It is worth noting that these additions have raised the UAE’s tally to 19 elements registered
on the Representative List, including falconry, Al-Ayyala, Arabic calligraphy, and others.
Accordingly, the UAE continues to lead the Arab world in the field of heritage preservation.
While efforts continue to nominate more national and joint candidates
in cooperation with ALECSO and relevant authorities,
This is to ensure that this legacy remains a source of pride for future generations.
