Kuwaiti officials urge preservation of Arab cultural heritage

CAIRO, Feb 26 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti officials underlined here Sunday the significance of protecting and safeguarding Arab cultural heritage from extremist and terrorist organizations.
Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the Arab Heritage Day, Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature (NCCAL) Secretary-General's Advisor Walid Al-Seif said it is imperative to preserve Arab cultural heritage.
He said he will deliver a lecture during the celebration on intangible cultural heritage to familiarize Arab countries with Kuwait's deep cultural heritage.
Al-Seif, who doubles as Deputy Chairman of the UNESCO's General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, said the lecture focuses on the key elements of Kuwaiti cultural heritage, mainly habits, customs, folk arts and crafts as well dignitaries, including His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
He boasted that His Highness the Amir was the first Arab leader to establish an Arab governmental committee tasked with the safeguarding of cultural heritage.
He hoped that the celebration could come up with concrete recommendations that would contribute to preserving and safeguarding Arab tradition.
Director of the NCCAL's Department of Antiquities and Museums Sultan Al-Duweish said in a statement to KUNA that the Kuwaiti delegation to the event expounded on recent archaeological discoveries in the State of Kuwait.
He said Kuwait has prehistoric antiquities that reflect the beginning of man's life on the Gulf soil.
The Kuwaiti official stressed the significance of the Arab Heritage Day, saying the Arab world and Ancient Near East are the basis of ancient civilizations.
However, he regretted that some antiquities in Syria and Iraq were stolen and ruined.
On his part, the Arab League's Cultural Department Mohammad Al-Hajri of Kuwait said to KUNA that the celebration came upon a resolution adopted by the league's ministerial council in March 2016.
He added that the council had set this day for protecting and safeguarding Arab cultural heritage from extremist and terrorist groups and organizations.
On March 5, 2016, the Arab League's Ministerial Council decided to mark the Arab Heritage Day on February 27 every year.
Egypt's Luxor is the Capital of the Arab Culture 2017. (Pick up previous) msh.mt