Saudi Gazette report
BANI MALIK, Jazan – Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah said that the Kingdom is making all attempts for the inclusion of Khalwani coffee cultivation in the list of intangible cultural heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The minister made the remarks during his visit to the 7thedition of the annual Coffee Beans Festival in Al-Dayer in Bani Malik governorate of the southern Jazan province. He toured the festival ground and pavilions of the exhibition, held on the sidelines of the festival, along with Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Bin Muhammad, deputy emir of Jazan, Minister of Commerce and Investment Majed Al-Qasabi and other officials.
“Preparation of the file related to the skills and knowledge pertaining to the cultivation of Khawlani coffee in Jazan region has been completed prior to presenting it to the UNESCO. If listed, it would be the Kingdom’s fourth intangible cultural heritage and 8th among the total heritage items included in the UNESCO heritage list,” he said.
Prince Badr praised the leadership’s keenness to promote and expand the flourishing coffee cultivation in the Kingdom, and turn it into a sustainable and cultural economic resource for the people who are linked to it for generations dating back to hundreds of years in the region. “Coffee carries a deep symbolism of the values of Arab culture, and the coffee cultivation in the governorate of Bani Malik as well as the mountainous regions of Jazan has witnessed an increasing demand from many people, especially the youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Emir Prince Muhammad stressed the importance of the festival in supporting coffee cultivation and introducing it at the local and regional levels. The annual production of coffee in the region has reached 336 tons, an increase of 109 tons from the previous year.
For his part, Naif Bin Lebda, governor of Al-Dayer and general supervisor of the festival, said that around 105 coffee farmers are showcasing their products with different aroma and tastes at the festival that began on Jan. 30 and will end on Tuesday (Feb. 4).
