Echoes of Arabia: Food, Culture, and Connection International Project
Objectives
In Arab culture, identity is deeply intertwined with rituals, memories, and traditions that transcend geographical boundaries. “Echoes of Arabia” celebrates this connection, promoting international cooperation, and the exchange of knowledge, and preserving traditional culinary practices at risk of being lost among various cultures.
Scope and key Action
This initiative seeks to explore, document, and share the diverse food traditions that shape the Arab region, using food as a tool for intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The project includes three key initiatives:
- a collaborative project with six other Saudi cities—Al-Ahsa, Buraydah, Jeddah, Jazan, Riyadh, and Taif—to create a comprehensive map of the country’s diverse bread rituals and traditions. The findings will be shared in a published book and a documentary film titled Breads Between Us. Inspired by UNESCO’s FOOD Atlas format, the project will encompass digital storytelling platform to document, preserve, and share the rich food traditions and practices of the region.
- an inter-cluster collaborative initiative with the Literature and Music sectors, to explore the deep and often overlooked connections between food, memory, music, and poetry.
- a dedicated session at the annual International Islamic Cultural Festival will serve as a platform for sharing best practices and collaborative strategies, highlighting the reciprocal influences and adaptations of food, ingredients, techniques, and rituals from 82 countries. The Music and Literature UCCs will curate the connection between food and culture, exploring how food traditions influence artistic and literary works.
Stakeholders
The project involves diverse culinary stakeholders, from farmers and chefs to academics and family-run businesses. With the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s support, this community-driven initiative aligns with national strategies for sustainable cultural development.
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcomes of Echoes of Arabia include cultural preservation, safeguarding knowledge and practices at risk of being lost, reinforcing Arab cultural identity on the international stage, enhancing international cooperation, supporting the local creative economy, fostering social inclusion and collaboration, encouraging intergenerational transmission of local culinary traditions and intangible heritage, and protecting traditional agricultural practices and biodiversity.
Impact
Echoes of Arabia” creates a global model for food preservation, bridging generations and cultures. By fostering cultural resilience and cross-border collaboration, this initiative leaves a lasting impact on gastronomy and heritage worldwide.
