Saudi Arabian cultural heritage preservation efforts

Saudi Arabian institutions and international organizations have highlighted various initiatives to safeguard the nation’s cultural identity and history.

In observance of the International Day for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Al-Qassim region hosted the ‘Heritage Neighborhood’ event in Unayzah. This festival featured cultural stations such as falconry, Arabic calligraphy, and traditional folk arts to introduce younger generations to ancestral customs.

Following this, Saudi institutions marked World Audiovisual Heritage Day by showcasing efforts to digitize and restore national memory. The King Abdulaziz Public Library is utilizing modern technology to maintain archives including rare historical photographs and audiovisual items. Similarly, the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) is working through its ‘Raqman’ center to digitize historical films and oral history interviews. In the Jazan region, efforts have focused on documenting local heritage through photography and sound, specifically emphasizing traditional folk arts and regional costumes.