Libya Seeks to Register “Al-Rahā” and “Bazin” on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Faraj Al-Shaqar, Director of the Media and Communication Office at the Ministry of Culture and Cognitive Development in GNU, revealed the Ministry’s efforts to register “Al-Rahā” – a traditional grain grinding tool – on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. He confirmed that the registration process is nearing completion.
The Ministry’s efforts are not limited to “Al-Rahā”; it also seeks to register several famous traditional dishes, such as “Bazin,” “Ftat,” “Mbakbaka,” and “Couscous,” on the UNESCO list, to highlight the richness and diversity of Libyan cuisine.
In a related context, Al-Shaqar pointed to Libya’s endeavors to register a group of historical and archaeological sites on the World Heritage List, including “Qasr Kabaw,” “Qasr Nalut,” “Qasr Libya,” “Wan Tkufi,” “Qalaa Jalu,” ” Al-Durar Khalil Pasha mosque,” “Tripoli International Fair Gate,” “Al-Athrun,” “Qalaa Majzam,” “Qalaa Kukman,” “Janzour Train Station,” “Buzayma Oasis,” “Villa Silin,” ” Al-Awaynat mountain” “Church of Saint Mary,” “Zawiyat Al-Sab’a Al-Fawatir site,” “Qarza Settlement,” “Safit Mausoleum,” “Old Al-Jadeed Town,” “Qasr Al-Zuhoor” “ the King’s Palace” and “Al-Zawiya Al-Bayda Al-Sanusiya.” These sites are currently listed on the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) list.
The Minister of Culture and Cognitive Development, Mebrouka Toghy, discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the Ministry and UNESCO in the fields of culture and heritage during her meeting with the Regional Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb, Eric Falt, on the sidelines of her participation in the Conference of Arab Culture Ministers in Rabat. They reviewed the registration of Libyan cultural elements on the World Heritage List, the preparation of files for nomination to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the organization of training courses by UNESCO experts in the heritage field.