Abu Dhabi: Traditional Emirati dance Al Ayyalah and Nabati poetry Al Taghruda are to be a part of Unesco's Intangible Heritage List, it was revealed during a three-day workshop on intangible heritage.
The workshop is organised by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development on the occasion of World Heritage Day on April 18.
The workshop will conclude on Thursday at the Armed Officer's Club.
"We are proud to announce that Al Ayyalah and Al Taghruda are to be a part of Unesco's Intangible Heritage List. They will join other intangible elements already present on the list, highlighting the successful efforts of our President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Adach to preserve our culture and traditions," said Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazroui, Adviser for Culture and Heritage in the Office of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Director of Adach.
Meeting of minds
Academics, specialists and researchers representing various organisations and institutions across the region discussed concerns about the decline of various forms of intangible heritage, including language and traditions and what should be done to preserve them.
"While the efforts by the countries represented here to preserve their intangible heritage are to be commended, it is not enough to simply have such programmes within each country. It is our responsibility whether as governmental or private entities to preserve our heritage through different means, such as international events or using avenues such as YouTube to raise international awareness and interest in these facets of our cultures," said Dr Nasser Ali Al Humairi, Director of the Intangible Heritage Department at Adach.
