Preservation Project Launched to Restore Historic Sayoun Palace in Yemen, Safeguarding Cultural Heritage

The historic palace of Seiyun in Hadramaut, Yemen, is undergoing restoration with the support of the Saudi Program for Reconstruction and Development in Yemen, UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia, and the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums in Yemen. This project aims to preserve the palace as a cultural center and protect it from disappearing as a significant historical landmark in the region.

The restoration project is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to safeguard Yemen’s heritage, continuing its leadership role in preserving the history and artifacts of the Arabian Peninsula, Arab world, and Islamic civilizations. The Kingdom is committed to conserving both tangible and intangible heritage in Yemen through various initiatives under the Saudi Program for Reconstruction and Development in Yemen.

The restoration of the Seiyun Palace involves Yemeni labor to revitalize the cultural and historical significance of this seven-story clay palace, which is over 500 years old and one of the largest mud-brick palaces in the world. The Saudi program focuses on reviving heritage sites, enhancing cultural workforce capabilities, and implementing impactful initiatives for sustainable development and economic empowerment in Yemen.

Additionally, the Saudi Program for Reconstruction and Development in Yemen supports projects to preserve intangible cultural heritage, such as the renovation of the Al-Ahqaf Historical Library in Tarim, Hadramaut, digitizing, processing, and restoring historical documents to build local capacities for heritage preservation in Yemen.

Furthermore, the program celebrates Yemeni culture and heritage through various initiatives, including supporting traditional crafts through a vocational workshop in Socotra benefiting women directly and indirectly, enhancing their skills for economic empowerment and integration into the workforce. The program also participates in cultural events, like the celebration of the Mehri language day in Mahrah Governorate, to raise awareness about Yemeni heritage, language, and traditions.

Moreover, the Saudi Program for Reconstruction and Development in Yemen collaborates with the Yemeni Ministry of Culture and King Abdulaziz Center to preserve Yemeni heritage and promote cultural exchange, as demonstrated in the “Between Two Cultures” exhibition in Riyadh, showcasing the similarities between Saudi and Yemeni culture in areas such as fashion, visual arts, architecture, design, and culinary arts. The exhibition enriches visitors’ cultural knowledge by exploring the artistic history of both countries.

In November 2024, the program showcased the Yemeni Orchestra in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh, featuring a diverse musical performance inspired by traditional Yemeni heritage. The event also highlighted the program’s numerous development projects in crucial sectors like education, healthcare, water, energy, agriculture, fisheries, and government capacity building across Yemeni provinces.

Overall, the Saudi Program for Reconstruction and Development in Yemen plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Yemeni heritage, supporting cultural initiatives, empowering communities, and fostering cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Yemen for mutual growth and understanding.