Saudi Heritage Preservation Society

The Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS) is a Saudi charitable society established on 17 May 2010 and concerned with the preservation of national heritage where the constituent meeting was held in the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.^[1] It has been registered by UNESCO as an international nongovernmental organization in safeguarding heritage.^[2]

Saudi Heritage Preservation Society

Charitable society overview
Formed	17 May 2010
Headquarters	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Charitable society executive	Badr bin Farhan, Chairman of the board of directors
Website	http://shps.org.sa/Pages/default.aspx

On 12 July 2019, UNESCO signed a letter with the Saudi Minister of Culture of In which Saudi Arabia contribute US$25 million to UNESCO for the preservation of heritage.^[3]

Society activities

In 2013, the society launched several projects emphasizing on protecting and documenting archaeological sites and old buildings.^[4] Moreover, the projects involve initiatives towards sculptures and skills associated with traditional arts and crafts through launching awareness campaigns and seasonal competitions.^[4]

Elements and properties inscribed on UNESCO

There are six elements inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list and five properties inscribed in the World Heritage List.^[5][6]

Elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

• 2017: Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, female traditional interior wall decoration in Asir, Saudi Arabia.
• 2016: Almezmar, drumming and dancing with sticks
• 2016: Falconry, a living human heritage
• 2015: Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity
• 2015: Majlis, a cultural and social space
• 2015: Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drumming and poetry in Saudi Arabia

Properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site:

• 2018: Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape
• 2008: Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih)
• 2010: At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah
• 2014: Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah
• 2015: Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia

See also

• Saudi Arabia portal

• List of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in Saudi Arabia
• List of World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia

References

1. "Saudi Heritage Preservation Society - Saudi Arabia | Organizations". Nakhwah. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
2. "The Saudi Ministry of Culture's strategy". Arab News. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
3. "Saudi Arabia commits US$25 million to UNESCO for the protection of heritage". UNESCO. 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
4. "Saudi heritage society launches cultural projects". Arab News. 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
5. "UNESCO - Saudi Arabia". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
6. "Saudi Arabia". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2019-02-07.