On Wednesday, 10 July 2024, the capacity-building programme for experts to develop an interpretation and presentation strategy for the Hajj Pilgrimage Route, “the Darb Zubaydah,” was launched. This route includes archaeological sites from Kufa in the Republic of Iraq to Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first workshop of the programme was held online over two days.
The programme is organized in collaboration between the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), the International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites (WHIPIC), the Heritage Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage in the Republic of Iraq.
“Interpretation and presentation of heritage sites” refers to all the methods and tools that help promote the cultural value of these sites to all concerned parties, including official bodies, experts, and individuals. This, in turn, supports efforts to preserve these sites for future generations.
The programme, which involves 20 experts from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, aims to enhance participants’ understanding of concepts and methods for interpreting and presenting world heritage. It also explores the best global practices in this field and provides participants with the opportunity to develop a comprehensive action plan to guide the interpretation and presentation strategy for the site.
In the first workshop, the focus was on the theoretical foundations of interpreting and presenting World Heritage sites, with case studies for strategy development presented. The second workshop, scheduled for September and will be held virtually, will follow up on the progress and guide participants through the process of developing interpretation and presentation themes. The third workshop, to be held in person in Saudi Arabia next year, will include scientific sessions and field visits to prepare the final action plan. Darb Zubaydah is a transnational cultural heritage site in the Arab world.
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