Saudi experts on urban heritage give lectures in Paris

Experts on urban heritage from Saudi Arabia are giving a series of lectures on the topic at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization offices in Paris.

Organized by the Saudi Heritage Commission, the program of four lectures explores some of the initiatives developed by the organization and the wider strategies on urban heritage in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The first lecture delved into material and intangible methods for preserving urban heritage, while the second looked at the development of traditional architecture in Al-Ahsa.

The third talk considered the role international architects have played in shaping modern architecture in Saudi Arabia, while the upcoming fourth and final lecture will tell the stories of sites in the Kingdom that have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The commission said the lectures in Paris reflect the organization’s efforts to preserve and develop national heritage as part of the Saudi strategy for culture set out in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for the development and diversification of the national economy, and its work to promote Saudi heritage in international forums.

The aim of the commission is to enhance the heritage sector in the Kingdom, officials said, by raising awareness of Saudi heritage and how it relates to the cultural identity of the nation, fostering a sense of pride in this rich cultural heritage, and strengthening its partnerships with UNESCO, other international organizations and local experts.