The Saudi Society for Preservation of Heritage has stressed the role of the Kingdom’s heritage in shaping the Saudi identity.

"Heritage is a major factor in determining the identity of the nation. The Society attaches great importance to preserving the cultural heritage in all its diversity,’’ Executive Director of the Society Maha Al-Sinan said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency on the occasion of the World Heritage Day which was celebrated Friday.

In addition to the awareness programs organized on the day, the Society will organize a series of awareness campaigns on other days, Al-Sinan said.

A campaign launched by the Society on the occasion is called "We are Our Heritage." The program, which has been launched in various provinces, involves sending SMS to as many people as possible about the importance of heritage. The SMS also includes pictures of various heritage scenes in the Kingdom.

The awareness drive is being implemented in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Asir, Makkah and Madinah, Al-Jouf, Najran, Jazan, Tabuk and Hail.

The pictures in the SMS highlight various aspects of heritage in the Kingdom, which are expected to evoke in people’s minds sentiments about the vanishing past and, make them aware of the need to protect and preserve their heritage.

As part of the celebration, the Society has also organized a number of lectures, seminars and workshops with the participation of national and international heritage experts. One such program is a lecture on the Indian experience in renovating and preserving heritage buildings and artifacts, delivered by Shashi Misra, chairman of the Council of Heritage and Rural Development in India. The Indian delegation also had a discussion with Saudi experts on various issues related to heritage preservation.

A workshop organized on the occasion focused on the art of embroidery in the Kingdom down the centuries. A British expert on international embroidery, Julian Fogsaig, presented a paper on various aspects of embroidery in different parts of the world. The expert also outlined the history of embroidery from 1300 BC to the 16th century.

Another expert, Fatimah Farisi, spoke on heritage products made of date palms and their economic significance. She said the palm tree has become the symbol of heritage and economy in the Kingdom.

The Society also plans to open five culture centers in different places to promote heritage activities, she said.