Red Sea Global (RSG) has teamed up with the Tamkeen Association in the coastal city of Umluj to launch an ambitious project aimed at the restoration of traditional sailing ships, breathing new life into the maritime heritage of the region.
The venture underscores the profound significance of protecting such legacies for the benefit of the local community, acknowledging the historical importance of sailing vessels as a primary mode of transport for goods and passengers amongst nearby nations and cities.
Throughout January 2024, RSG orchestrated a series of weekly events at Souq Amerah in Umluj, situated just south of RSG’s major developmental projects. These events, crafted with the local community in mind, showcased folklore performances and workshops dedicated to imparting knowledge about age-old shipbuilding techniques to the youth. Local artisans were also provided with stalls to exhibit and vend their handcrafted goods.
The initiative received additional support from the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP), which played a pivotal role in ensuring adherence to premier environmental practices. In a unique collaboration with the private sector, including the company JOUTN, OSP facilitated the provision of eco-friendly paint for the restoration efforts. This project, supervised by local fishermen and their kin, beautifully illustrated the community’s dedication to preserving and passing on their ancestral craft to future generations.
Engineer Ahmad Darwish, the Chief Administrative Officer at RSG, expressed his elation at the company’s endeavours to conserve the Red Sea’s rich history and cultural legacy: “These efforts serve as a significant affirmation of the community’s role in shaping the future of our destinations. Local heritage is a source of great pride, enhancing our identity as a tourist destination proud of its heritage and community, and plays a crucial role for individuals who find support in maintaining pride in their professions as it endures and flourishes across successive generations.”
The initiative’s culmination was marked by a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the Heritage Commission, UNESCO, and noted personalities from Umluj Governorate. RSG reaffirms its dedication to sustainability, with a particular focus on heritage conservation, aiming to revive and bequeath a waning art form to the forthcoming generations, thereby safeguarding its endurance.
Contributing to this mission, the National Committee for Education, Science, and Culture has been instrumental by enlisting ‘marine heritage to preserve skills associated with the restoration of heritage sailboats’ with UNESCO. The committee has also been pivotal in liaising with pertinent bodies committed to the preservation of marine heritage, both intangible and tangible.
Ms. Rasha Shawoosh, the Senior Director of the Social Development Department at RSG, articulated her thrill at the community’s fervour, noting that such enthusiasm is the bedrock for future projects and stressing the community’s essential role in the triumph of these initiatives.
The initiative has been met with effusive praise from the community, captivating men, women, and children alike, as well as mesmerizing visitors. Their expressions of appreciation are in harmony with the reverence for a bygone heritage and the adversities faced by seafarers in the creation and protection of seafaring vessels. Visitors and locals alike were enthralled by the stories of sailors who braved long voyages on the Red Sea, enduring the perils of its vast and unpredictable waters.
(photo copyright 2024 – R Barnes, SAFE)
The Red Sea Project has already begun to welcome its initial visitors, with two of its hotels operational and the Red Sea International Airport handling regular flights since September 2023. Projected to be complete by 2030, the Red Sea destination will feature 50 resorts with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential properties, spanning 22 islands and six inland locations. The development will also encompass luxury marinas, golf courses, and a plethora of entertainment and leisure facilities, further enhancing the region’s allure as a world-class tourist destination.
…
