Sana'a - Saba :
The Intangible Heritage Sector of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with support from the Heritage and Cultural Development Fund, organized a seminar titled "Intangible Heritage: Its Concept and Importance" in celebration of World Heritage Day.
During the opening session, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Ali Al-Yafei, emphasized the significance of commemorating World Heritage Day for Yemen’s intangible heritage, which encompasses a wealth of folk and non-folk arts, local crafts, and industries.
He highlighted Yemen’s unique intangible heritage, which distinguishes it regionally and globally, noting its richness in traditional arts, crafts, construction techniques, and ancient water management systems perfected by ancestors.
Dr. Al-Yafei also addressed the theft, distortion, and misappropriation of Yemeni intangible heritage by certain countries, including neighboring nations, which have falsely claimed Yemeni arts, crafts, and songs as their own—a blatant violation of Yemen’s authentic heritage.
"The Yemeni people are among the greatest nations in the world, having successfully shared their heritage globally. There is hardly a world capital without Yemeni arts, crafts, or traditional restaurants," he stated.
He added that Yemen’s intangible heritage and its global influence transcend borders, giving Yemen a profound cultural impact. The minister also condemned the aggression-led targeting of Yemen’s tangible heritage sites, including over 4,000 attacks on historical landmarks, tourist destinations, and cultural cities.
Dr. Al-Yafei stressed the importance of marking World Heritage Day as an opportunity to raise awareness about Yemen’s culture and heritage, exposing the crimes committed against it through all available means.
The seminar, attended by the Acting Director-General of the Heritage and Cultural Development Fund, Dr. Issam Al-Sanini, featured five working papers. Specialists Nawshan Al-Ashwal and Ahmed Al-Barout presented the first paper, addressing the state of Yemen’s heritage and the preservation requirements of intangible cultural heritage.
In the second paper, Ali Al-Mahmudi, Director-General of Folk Arts, discussed Yemeni folk arts and traditional dance. The third paper, presented by Saad Al-Haimi, examined cultural heritage between inadequate documentation and the risks of neglect.
The fourth paper, delivered by Ali Al-Akou’, President of the Yemeni Chanters Association, emphasized the preservation and documentation of oral chant heritage, accompanied by live performances. The fifth paper, presented by the Director of Relations at the Women’s Crafts Center, focused on handicrafts and the intersection of art and heritage.
At the conclusion of the seminar, Al-Akou’ presented Minister Al-Yafei with a copy of his new book, "Masterpieces of Sana’ani Chant Poetry," compiling renowned Sana’ani chant poems for religious and social occasions.
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