Adviser to the Culture Minister for Intangible Heritage Nahla Emam said documentation of intangible cultural heritage elements takes place at both national and international levels, stressing that domestic documentation is a top priority to preserve cultural identity.
In statements on Sunday, March 22, 2026, Emam said the ministry is working to establish a comprehensive national archive covering intangible heritage elements across all governorates, highlighting the launch of initiatives to document distinctive items, including the traditional Qena costume.
She said the project relies on cooperation among governorates to register heritage at the national level, paving the way for inclusion in official state inventories.
On international registration, she said listing elements with UNESCO follows specific procedures, with only one element allowed to be submitted every two years.
Egypt is currently preparing a number of files for international registration, including national elements as well as joint submissions such as oud, Arabian horses, sailing boats, traditional irrigation systems and heritage mind games, Eman added.
She further said inclusion process depends on a timetable set by UNESCO, which selects submitted files annually, potentially delaying some nominations for years.
National registration is no less important than international listing, but rather the foundation for safeguarding heritage and ensuring its preservation as part of Egypt’s cultural identity, Eman added.
