The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi contributed to the achievement of a cultural initiative aimed at supporting the efforts of the Union of Comoros to successfully preserve and protect its living heritage. The project “Enhancing the capabilities required in Comoros to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage for sustainable development”, which was implemented by UNESCO with the support of the department, resulted in the establishment of the first national inventory in the country, which today includes 15 elements of the intangible cultural heritage.
The project included documentation and research, launching awareness campaigns, and conducting a community inventory of Comoros cultural heritage, which contributed to enhancing the country's ability to safeguard its intangible cultural heritage in line with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
At the conclusion of the project, UNESCO provided the Union of Comoros with consultancy services in the field of policy development, and its experiences contributed to strengthening the institutional and legal frameworks for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage in the country, as well as conducting specialized training for many partners concerned with preserving this heritage.
The project, which lasted from November 2017 to December 2019, was launched after UNESCO assessed the ability of this small island nation to document its heritage, with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi. Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, said: “Our primary mission in the department is to preserve, promote and preserve culture in all its forms and through various channels, with a view to preserving it for future generations and for the benefit of all.” He pointed out that “Abu Dhabi pays special attention to cultural issues, We recognize the importance of culture and its ability to bring about radical change and build bridges of communication between different nations and minds. ”
And the blessed added: «The preservation of cultural heritage in the Comoros was not only an important concern for that country, but was an important global issue. We have also faced our role in our endeavor to establish the position of Abu Dhabi as a vital incubator for different cultures, many of these problems over many years, especially with regard to preserving the valuable heritage. Mankind and its unity. We are happy with the success of this project, which will support the Comoros in preserving and protecting its treasures for future generations. ”
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The project concluded with a special ceremony in Moroni, organized by UNESCO in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Professional Integration, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research. It included a photo gallery, interactive videos that showcased the living heritage in Comoros, as well as direct presentations of ICH practices to schoolchildren and the general public.
The project lasted from November 2017 until last December.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak:
"We realize in the circle the importance of culture and its ability to bring about radical change and extend bridges of communication between different nations and minds."