The UAE includes four new elements on the UNESCO Representative List

Abu Dhabi, December 17 / WAM / The UAE has succeeded in including four new elements in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at UNESCO.

This came during the twentieth meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was held in the Indian capital, New Delhi, adding this cultural achievement to the UAE’s record of achievements and confirming its leadership position in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

The inclusion of these elements comes as a culmination of the state’s efforts to preserve heritage elements and their cultural components and highlight them on the international scene, as the art of “crespers” was included as a national file on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the popular performing arts inherited in the country, in addition to registering “bisht,” “bride’s wedding,” and “kohl” as joint Arab files, which confirms the depth of the cultural ties that unite the UAE with its Gulf and Arab surroundings.

In an exceptional achievement for the state, the committee approved the transfer of the “Sadu” element from the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent preservation, on which it was included in 2011, to the representative list, after meeting international conditions and standards thanks to sustainable preservation programs that resulted in protecting it from extinction, and made it a living part of cultural life.

This transfer is an international recognition of the success of the conservation measures taken by the state to ensure the sustainability of this element and its transfer to future generations.

His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, said: The inclusion of four new elements on the UNESCO lists represents an important step in the UAE’s journey to protect its intangible cultural heritage, and reflects our keenness to enhance the presence of our heritage elements globally. The transfer of the Sadu file to the representative list also reflects the success of joint efforts between the concerned authorities and society to ensure the continuation of this ancient art and its transmission to future generations.

His Excellency added: We will continue to work to document and protect our living heritage, in a way that enhances national identity and contributes to consolidating the UAE’s position as a leading knowledge and cultural center in the region and the world.

Commenting on the inclusion of four new elements and the successful transfer of the Sadu file to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, said: This exceptional achievement reflects Abu Dhabi’s firm commitment to preserving and celebrating living cultural heritage as an integral pillar of our national identity, and through long-term programs, community partnerships, and festivals that integrate these traditions into the fabric of daily cultural life, we have succeeded in ensuring the continuation of practices such as The crescent, the bisht, the bridal gown, and the kohl are an active part of our shared experience.

He added: The successful transfer of the Sadu file is a source of pride for every Emirati, as it highlights how the efforts of craftsmen who have the knowledge and skills necessary to practice the Sadu craft, along with the youth and emerging generations who have inherited this experience, contribute to renewing this heritage element and transforming it into a vibrant expression that is appreciated on the global stage.

He said: As we continue to share Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural narrative with the world, we remain committed to empowering local communities, nurturing creativity, and ensuring that our heritage remains preserved, practiced, and transmitted with confidence to future generations, and a source of pride and pride for them.

It is noteworthy that these achievements enhance the leadership position of the UAE at the Arab level in the field of preserving intangible cultural heritage, with the inclusion of 19 elements to date in the representative list: falconry, Al-Sadu, Al-Taghrouda, Al-Ayyala, Majlis, Arabic coffee, Al-Razfa, Al-Nakhla, Al-Aflaj, camel racing, Arabic calligraphy, camel shoes, Al-Talli, Al-Harees, henna, crescents, bisht, kohl, and zaffa. bride; One element, “Al-Azi,” is on the list of intangible cultural heritage that needs urgent preservation, and efforts are still continuing to nominate more national and joint elements, in cooperation between the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Culture, the Arab Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ALECSO), and the authorities concerned with heritage.

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