DIRIYAH: The Saudi culture minister has praised the Cabinet’s decision to approve the establishment of the Royal Institute of Anthropology and Cultural Studies.

The institute will work on developing academic and applied research, including the study of communities, lifestyles, symbolic systems, social transformations and forms of cultural expression.

“The Royal Institute of Anthropology and Cultural Studies aspires to be a trusted narrator of our culture and a beacon of inspiration in the studies of understanding humanity,” Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan said.

“The establishment of the institute is a significant step in the journey of developing the cultural sector, as it serves as a Saudi academic platform that documents our heritage and deepens awareness of our culture through anthropological research and cultural studies.

“It also encourages cultural exchange to enrich the field globally, while providing impactful and effective cultural insights.”

The institute will also work on documenting tangible and intangible cultural heritage within its social and historical contexts and monitoring related knowledge, practices, representations and values.

The Kingdom holds particular significance in the field of anthropological and cultural studies, given its historical and civilizational depth.

It is also distinguished by its extensive cultural, social and regional diversity, which is manifested in lifestyles, customs and traditions, language and oral expression, as well as in literature, performing arts, architecture, visual arts, culinary arts, fashion and other cultural practices and representations.