Riyadh, September 27, 2023, The Saudi Commission has launched an innovative project called "Saudi Football Trouq" dedicated to preserving and documenting the chants of Saudi football clubs. This initiative, carried out in partnership with the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society, which is accredited by UNESCO for its commitment to intangible cultural heritage, reflects the Commission's dedication to safeguarding the Kingdom's diverse musical and artistic traditions.
The "Saudi Football Trouq" project follows a rigorous and scientific approach in line with the documentation and inventory methodology approved by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. It aims to create a comprehensive archive encompassing club chants, relevant press articles, books, research, and studies. This initiative underscores the role of music in shaping collective passion and memories, with fan chants playing a crucial part in defining moments in Saudi football history.
Going beyond traditional documentation, "Saudi Football Trouq" engages with fan associations of major Saudi clubs, musicians, athletes, and historians to present visual narratives that vividly chronicle the history of these clubs through their cherished chants.
Significant progress has already been made in the project, with an initial desk research phase inventorying 170 clubs from across the Kingdom's history. Additionally, 835 visual, auditory, and written elements associated with Saudi football club chants have been compiled, along with 41 relevant books and a collection of articles and images from matches resonating with these chants.
The "Saudi Football Trouq" initiative underscores the Saudi Music Commission's unwavering commitment to preserving Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage. By delving into the evocative chants of football clubs, it breathes life into history, music, and collective memory, reaffirming the enduring influence of artistic expressions in shaping national identity and cultural legacy.
