Heritage Salon International
An international platform for dialogue on food heritage, identity, sustainability, and development, held alongside the Buraydah International Dates Carnival.
An international platform for dialogue on food heritage, identity, and sustainable development
Heritage Salon International is the Kingdom's first international cultural salon — an intellectual and knowledge platform bringing together experts, decision-makers, researchers, and international organizations to discuss food heritage as a marker of identity, a driver of economic and developmental value, and a field for cultural and international cooperation. Held alongside the Buraydah International Dates Carnival, the Salon adds an intellectual, knowledge-driven, and international dimension to the Carnival.
Vision
For Qassim to become an international platform for dialogue on food heritage, identity, and sustainable development.
Mission
Presenting Saudi food heritage as a cultural, economic, and developmental value open to dialogue and exchange, and building knowledge bridges between national expertise and international organizations.
Core Dimensions
Cultural
Food heritage, identity, legacy, and traditional knowledge.
Developmental
Food security, agricultural sustainability, and local community development.
Economic
Value chains, investment, date-related industries, and the cultural economy.
International
International organizations, knowledge exchange, partnerships, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Key Themes
Food Heritage & Cultural Identity
The place of the palm and dates in Arab and Islamic culture and national identity.
Dates & Food Security
Sustainable agriculture, the future of production, and global challenges and opportunities.
Dates & the Cultural Economy
Creative industries, agritourism, and building a local product brand.
Food Heritage in the Islamic World
Protecting heritage, documenting traditional knowledge, and cultural cooperation.
Investment in Agricultural Value Chains
Raising added value, manufacturing, innovation, and growth opportunities.
Food Heritage as Soft Power
Leveraging food culture to build international image and strengthen ties between peoples.
International Guests
H.E. Dr. Salim Al-Malik
Director-General of ICESCO
Cultural heritage, identity, and international cultural cooperation
Dr. Nizar Haddad
FAO Representative in Saudi Arabia
Processing industries, development, sustainability, and added value
Local Speakers
Dr. Badr Al-Wuhaibi
Coffee
The history of coffee and its ties to the Aqeelat trade caravans
Ahmed Al-Tuwaijri
Camels
The camel sector, its heritage, and camel milk
Saleh Al-Saab
Dates
The dates sector, hybridization, and variety propagation
Salon Program
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1
Opening session: remarks from the Salon patron, the organizing body, and participating international organizations.
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2
International dialogue session: experts, international organizations, and decision-makers discuss the future of food heritage and sustainability.
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3
Inspiring local and international case studies in protecting food heritage and developing value chains.
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4
Specialized sessions on dates, coffee, camels, processing industries, and the cultural economy.
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5
Announcement of the recommendations, initiatives, and partnerships emerging from the Salon.
Salon Outcomes
The Buraydah Declaration for Food Heritage: a joint document on protecting food heritage, sustainable palm cultivation, supporting farming communities, and preserving traditional knowledge.
International recommendations emerging from the Salon sessions.
A knowledge report documenting the key ideas and discussions.
Arabic and English content to reach an international audience.
Research and cultural partnerships between participating entities.
An international network for food and cultural heritage as a sustainable initiative launched from the Salon.
From Qassim to the World
Heritage Salon International launches as the first international cultural salon in Qassim — a platform bringing local expertise into global dialogue, turning food heritage from a memory kept by generations into knowledge, partnerships, and initiatives that create lasting impact.
Heritage Salon International.. local heritage, global dialogue.