https://arab.news/zbafm
- Royal Commission for AlUla partnering with one of Italy’s most prestigious restoration institutes
- Agreement aims to raise awareness ‘of the importance of preserving the rich Saudi cultural heritage’
A group of Saudi graduates will take part in workshops in northern Italy under a partnership between one of the most prestigious Italian restoration institutes and the Royal Commission for AlUla.
The Conservation and Restoration Center La Venaria Reale, on the outskirts of Turin, said the partnership aims “to make the new generations aware of the importance of preserving the rich Saudi cultural heritage.”
Between now and February 2024, 12 young Saudis from different areas of the Kingdom will participate in seven workshops on conservation science, materials and techniques.
The course will end with an open awards ceremony in the city of AlUla, home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra.
The students will be involved in lessons, workshops and tutored study sessions to increase their knowledge of restoration and how to launch initiatives to promote engagement, education and communication in the development of cultural projects focused on arts and heritage conservation. Exchanges with local experts and students of the University of Turin will also be organized.
Established in 2005, the nonprofit Conservation and Restoration Center La Venaria Reale organizes a master’s degree in conservation and restoration of cultural heritage at the University of Turin.
“We intend to promote an integrated and interactive approach to allow our participants to learn how to manage all those issues linked to the conservation of cultural heritage,” the center’s President Stefano Trucco told Arab News.
“With this project, we join the global network of RCU’s partners. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for the Conservation and Restoration Center La Venaria Reale to reaffirm its mission as an international research player on restoration.”
This agreement represents the first result of a memorandum of understanding signed in May in Venice by Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Italian counterpart Gennaro Sangiuliano to foster cooperation in the sectors of archaeology, conservation, restoration and protection of cultural heritage, film and literature.
The MoU enables Italy and Saudi Arabia to work together to protect their heritage in accordance with UNESCO conventions.