On the afternoon of November 10, the China-Saudi Intangible Cultural Heritage Event was grandly held at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, organized by the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum and China Ori Culture Group, with support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the China International Culture Association.
The event was attended by over 80 guests, including H.E. Gao Zheng, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China; H.E. Dr. Maha Alsenan, Deputy Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia; Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Xu Rong, Director-General of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China; Laila Alfaddagh, Director of the National Museum of Saudi Arabia; Wang Chenyang, Director of the China Arts and Crafts Museum, as well as experts and representatives from the intangible cultural heritage sectors and artistic communities of both countries.
Through various forms such as China-Saudi civilization dialogue, exchanges on intangible cultural heritage protection and inheritance, intangible cultural heritage food tasting, and cultural performances, the event showcased the unique charm of China’s outstanding traditional culture and the diverse appeal of Arab civilization in an all-round manner, highlighting the depth and warmth of cultural exchanges between China and Saudi Arabia.
Civilization Dialogue, Bridging Consensus Through Intangible Cultural Heritage
During the China-Saudi civilization dialogue, guests from both sides shared insights on the theme of "Inheritance of Traditional Crafts and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage." Experts from China and Saudi Arabia in fields such as intangible cultural heritage preservation, traditional craftsmanship, museum studies, digital communication, and cultural tourism engaged in in-depth discussions on the preservation and inheritance of traditional crafts, digital empowerment, contemporary innovative practices, and the evolving role of museums in promoting mutual learning among civilizations. Participants shared rich cases and experiences, covering topics ranging from distinctive handicrafts such as fan-making, lacquerware, Sadu weaving, and Najd gate carving to digital dissemination of intangible cultural heritage and cultural-educational cooperation. Together, they explored practical pathways and future directions for promoting intangible cultural heritage exchanges and cultural cooperation within the framework of the "Saudi-China Culture Year." An exhibition of intangible cultural heritage works from both countries was also held concurrently at the event.
Food as a Medium, Artistic Resonance Conveys Sincere Emotions
Dialogue among civilizations requires not only the clash of ideas but also sensory empathy.
Following the dialogue, guests moved to the outdoor courtyard of the National Museum of Saudi Arabia to participate in the "Taste of China" intangible cultural heritage food tasting event. Chinese chefs presented a variety of representative Chinese cuisines through live demonstrations, skill displays, and interactive experiences, allowing Saudi guests to appreciate the profound traditions and artisanal heritage of Chinese culinary culture through sensory engagement.
Finally, the intangible cultural heritage performances brought the event to a climax, with Chinese and Saudi programs taking turns to showcase the dynamic vitality of civilizational dialogue. Performances such as the guqin piece "Three Variations on the Plum Blossom," Chinese tea ceremony, Yang-style Tai Chi, large puppet art, and the pipa composition "Spring River Flower Moon Night" showcased the living heritage and artistic charm of China’s intangible cultural heritage from multiple perspectives. The Saudi side presented the Al-Ardha traditional dance, inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as captivating performances featuring traditional Arab musical ensembles. Notably, a Saudi qanun artist and a Chinese pipa performer collaborated to perform the Xinjiang folk song Send Me a Rose, perfectly blending the depth of Arab music with the elegance of Chinese folk music. This artistic dialogue transcended language barriers, allowing guests from both countries to experience the unique charm of intangible cultural heritage through artistic immersion.
Deepening Exchanges, Charting a New Blueprint for Cooperation
The year 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Over the past 35 years, the bilateral relationship has evolved from mutual respect to strategic coordination, from economic and trade cooperation to people-to-people connectivity, entering a "golden era" of comprehensive cooperation. As an integral part of the first "Saudi-China Culture Year." this series of intangible cultural heritage even ts not only provided a platform for inheritors from both countries to showcase and exchange their crafts but also deepened mutual understanding and emotional affinity between the peoples of the two nations through closest cultural experiences.
As the Executor of the event, Qian Feng, Chairman of Ori Group, stated that this is the first major international exchange activity undertaken by the Ori following the establishment of its regional headquarters in the Arab world. It reflects not only Ori’s achievements from years of dedicated efforts in China-Arab cultural exchanges but also underscores its commitment as a cultural enterprise to actively fulfill its cultural mission and promote people-to-people bonds. By integrating resources and innovating formats, we are committed to transforming intangible cultural heritage into a perceptible and resonant language of exchange, enabling more people in Saudi Arabia to engage with Chinese culture and strengthening the public foundation for China-Saudi friendship.
Moving forward, Ori Group will continue to leverage its strengths, collaborate with cultural institutions, enterprises, and inheritors from both China and Arab countries, and plan more "local, warm, and effective" cultural exchange projects. We aim to promote in-depth mutual learning of intangible cultural heritage resources between China and Arab nations, making cultural exchange a solid pillar for building a China-Arab community with a shared future.
