Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — French President Emmanuel Macron visited the historic Turaif District in Diriyah on Tuesday on the sidelines of his official visit to Saudi Arabia.

During the visit, Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah and his French counterpart Rachida Dati signed nine executive programs for enhancing cultural cooperation between the two countries.

President Macron and his accompanying delegation toured Turaif District, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and listened to its historical value to Saudi Arabia in its capacity as the starting point from where the Saudi state came into being. The tour also included a horse show and a visit to the Diriyah Museum. There was a video presentation showcasing the growing cultural cooperation between the Kingdom and France in various cultural fields, and a review of the prospects of this cooperation and the great future opportunities.

In the presence of Macron, Minister of Culture Prince Badr and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati signed nine executive programs between a number of Saudi cultural bodies and their French counterparts in a ceremony held at Al-Bujairi neighborhood in Diriyah.

The programs included three executive programs between the Heritage Commission and several French institutions; the first is with the French National Centre for Monuments (CMN), which includes the exchange of expertise in the development of heritage sites to enhance the visitor experience in cultural heritage areas, in the evaluation of archaeological and heritage sites, and the exchange of expertise in the effectiveness of monitoring operations. The second program was with the French Centre for the Operation of Projects and Cultural and Heritage Assets (OPPIC), which includes the establishment of a comprehensive capacity building program, the provision of specialized support services, the provision of the most qualified architects for cultural projects, the training of craftsmen and specialists in the field of artisanal and artistic restoration, and the inspection and review of royal palaces.

The third executive program was signed with the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) regarding conducting the assessment of archaeological sites, and publishing scientific research on excavations. These executive programs will support the efforts of the Heritage Commission in documenting, protecting and operating cultural heritage sites in Saudi Arabia.

In the field of museums, the Museums Commission signed four executive programs, the first with the National Higher School of Industrial Design in France (ENSCI), which included providing educational support. The second program was signed with the Grand Palace - National Museums Cooperation (RMN-Grand Palais), which included exchanging temporary exhibitions, and providing advice on operating cultural stores.

The third program was inked with the French National Heritage Institute (INP) to provide short training courses and programs dedicated to professionals in the museum sector, while the fourth executive program was concluded with the National Higher School of Photography (ENSP) in the field of technical consulting and exchange of expertise, and implementing training programs in photography for professionals and students.

In the libraries sector, the Libraries Commission signed an executive program with the National Library of France (BnF) to cooperate in the field of Islamic and Arabic manuscripts, and exchange expertise in the field of preserving and managing manuscripts. In the film sector, the Film Commission signed an executive program with the French National Center for Cinema and Moving Images (CNC). The terms of the executive program included cooperation in developing Saudi cinematic talents, archiving and preserving the cinematic heritage, stimulating work on joint production, and exchanging expertise in developing systems and policies related to the film sector.

The signing of these executive programs comes within the framework of strengthening the cultural partnership between Saudi Arabia and France and within the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and cultural bodies to empower cultural sectors and enhance international cultural exchange as one of the goals of the National Strategy for Culture, under the umbrella of the Vision 2030.

Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi, Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al-Ruwaili, Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed Fayez, Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan Al-Touq, and the CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority Jerry Inzerillo were also among the Saudi delegation who received Macron and the accompanying French delegation during the Diriyah visit