International concern for Official and Public neglect for Yemen’s monuments and cultural heritage [Archives:2005/860/Culture]
Hassan Al-Zaidi
A workshop organized by the Italian embassy and in cooperation with the Ministries of Tourism and Culture was held in Sanaa last month, focusing on preserving and promoting Yemen's' cultural heritage.
The workshop looked firstly at preservation and promotion strategies for cultural heritage with the presentation of three working papers.
Firstly, the joint restoration works by international organizations,' presented by Nr Nicholas Astantley Bruce, Director General of an international organization of restoration experts in Rome.
Then, 'UNESCO policy for the protection of cultural heritage in cooperation with Italian projects in Yemen.' Which was presented by Anna Giuliani, an official from the Middle Eastern section at UNESCO.
Finally, Cultural Preservation and the future of tourism,' presented by Richard Hodges, a lecturer from the University of East Anglia, in Britain.
The second section of the workshop was concerned with plans for the longer-term custodianship and care for the nations cultural heritage. For this three further papers were presented; Firstly entitled, 'Sensitive cultural heritage and its conservation.' Then, 'The role of restoration and joint works,' and finally, 'The al-Mareya Madrassa project, 1985-2005.'
The Dutch ambassador and the Italian Charge d'Affairs reiterated in their speech Yemen's richness in cultural inheritance, saying that it is of 'regional significance,' and that this should be considered an economic resource and an important element in Yemen's development. Their speech also shed light on how preservation and restoration of historical monuments can in the longer term be profitable if approached with significant efforts and investment.
In an statement issued in connection with the workshop, the economic significance of cultural heritage and the necessity of increased support for the protection and preservation of artifacts was reaffirmed. The statement highlighted the success of the al-Mareya Madrassa project
Also highlighted were efforts of the Commission for the preservation of the Monuments of Rome that, under the direction of the American institute of Yemeni Studies, and financed by the Cultural Heritage Fund in cooperation with support from Italy and Holland, has managed to salvage over 600 monuments of 16th Century Islamic pattern-work at the al-Mareya Madrassa from ruin during the last twenty years.
The international concern for the state of Yemen's cultural inheritance is due to the widespread neglect and disrepair of many of the country”s monuments, which represent thousands of years of history and a remarkable succession of civilizations, by the official authorities and the public. Although the monuments and remnants of civilizations that are present in Marib and al-Jouf are well known, there are many others which are yet unknown. It is these that we must rescue before neglect allows these dwindling monuments to be destroyed. There are already well known cases of theft from these areas, which is only heard about when occasional cases are reported to the authorities or when the stolen items are returned to Yemen. Notably has been the rejection of the findings of a visit by Dr Adb al-Karim al-Irani, who with a number of foreign experts, recommended that the people of the al-Jouf region take increased care for the many monuments in their region. In a letter explaining their rejection they asked how they could take care of the ancient monuments of their region when they do not have access to even the basic necessities of life.
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[archive-e:860-v:13-y:2005-d:2005-07-18-p:culture]
