A strategic initiative to preserve cultural memory
In a significant step towards preserving Arab cultural identity, the UNESCO Chair at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies hosted a specialized workshop to discuss a book project entitled “Translating Cultures and Oral Traditions.” This event, held with the support of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, is part of a structured academic effort aimed at preserving and documenting Arab intangible heritage according to the highest scientific standards, and ensuring its transmission to future generations.
Global context and importance of intangible heritage
Intangible cultural heritage, as defined by UNESCO, encompasses the practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and knowledge about nature. Safeguarding this heritage is a global challenge, as it is a living tradition passed down through generations by individuals and communities, making it vulnerable to loss amidst rapid social and technological changes. This workshop is a direct response to UNESCO's calls for the documentation and study of these cultural treasures to ensure their continuity.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
This initiative is of particular importance on several levels. Locally, these efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on preserving national heritage and strengthening Saudi cultural identity. Regionally, the project positions the Kingdom at the forefront of Arab countries seeking to establish an academic center for the study of oral heritage, and opens avenues for collaboration among Arab researchers. Internationally, the forthcoming book will contribute to enriching the global dialogue on folklore and oral traditions, offering perspectives from the Arab world and the Global South that are often absent from mainstream academic discourse.
Workshop details and in-depth discussions
The two-day workshop brought together a select group of researchers and contributors to the book, providing them with an interactive platform to present and in-depth discuss their scholarly papers before final publication. The sessions, moderated by Dr. Munira Al-Ghadir, UNESCO Chair, and researcher Nouf Al-Mutlaq, fostered a multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, focusing on addressing the theoretical and practical challenges associated with documenting and translating oral traditions. Participants delved into the book's central themes, drawing on diverse cultural perspectives that reflect the richness of intangible heritage and its profound human dimensions.
A future vision for translating cultures
This initiative falls within the strategic vision of the UNESCO Chair for 2025, which focuses primarily on the theme of “Translating Cultures and Intangible Heritage.” The book seeks to reposition translation as a central element in the global discourse on oral heritage, moving beyond traditional perspectives towards a deeper theoretical exploration of the unique expressive forms of this legacy. Through these scholarly gatherings, researchers' critical awareness is honed, and the performative precision and intellectual richness that constitute the essence of oral cultures in the region and the world are highlighted.
