Recommendations of the Arab Music Conference in Riyadh: Digital documentation and a global reference

In a strategic move aimed at protecting cultural identity and preserving artistic heritage, Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), affirmed that the outcomes of the Arab Music Conference, hosted by Riyadh, represent a historic turning point in the trajectory of Arab art. This initiative came in response to the urgent need to unify research and artistic efforts to offer a modern, scholarly analysis of musical styles and to document the maqams and rhythms that form the core of the region's auditory memory.

Historical context and strategic importance

This conference recalls historical attempts to document Eastern music, most notably the Cairo Conference on Arab Music in 1932. However, this year's edition in Riyadh is distinguished by its reliance on advanced digital technologies and modern academic methodologies. The significance of this event lies in its aim not only to document history but also to transform musical heritage from an oral tradition threatened with extinction into a digital reference system accessible to researchers worldwide. This strengthens the soft power of the Kingdom and the Arab world in international cultural forums.

Supporting leadership and integrating efforts

At the outset of his remarks, Advisor Al-Sheikh expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – may God protect them both – praising their unwavering support for the culture and entertainment sectors. He noted that this artistic movement is a direct result of the Crown Prince's commitment to knowledge creation and the development of cultural infrastructure, while also commending the efforts of His Royal Highness Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, in strengthening Saudi identity.

Al-Sheikh explained that the project relies on a unique integration between the Ministry of Culture and the General Entertainment Authority, taking advantage of the enormous capabilities provided by “Mirwas Studio” in Riyadh, which is one of the largest studios in the world, to ensure the highest quality standards in recording and documenting Eastern maqams.

Recommendations for building the future of music

After months of diligent work with the participation of committees from various Arab countries and Turkey, the conference concluded with a set of essential recommendations that outline a roadmap for the future of Arab music, most notably:

• Establishing a reliable reference: Working to document the Eastern Maqams (Arabic and Iranian) over the next two years to create a global academic reference.
• Digital transformation: Creating open electronic libraries, interactive educational platforms, and smart applications that provide easy access to documented musical content.
• Higher Academy: Recommendation to launch a Higher Arab Academy for Musical Sciences and Arts, to promote academic studies and support young researchers.
• Preserving oral heritage: Conducting a comprehensive field survey to collect tonal models from their original sources before they disappear.

Saudi Arabia's leading role

The pivotal role of Saudi Arabia was highlighted during the conference through the efforts of the local committee, which successfully documented 14 Hijazi maqams and more than 160 Saudi rhythms, collected in the field from local performers. This achievement reflects the richness of the Kingdom's cultural diversity and underscores its commitment to leading the Arab art scene towards global horizons, establishing Riyadh as a capital of musical decision-making and a reference point in the region.

The conference concluded by emphasizing that these recommendations will be closely monitored to ensure their implementation, in order to achieve the ultimate goal of making Arabic music an integral part of the academic references in international institutes and universities.