International Heritage News
01
WMF invites UNESCO to discuss cultural heritage and mass atrocities
On February 23, marking one year since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) and the Getty Foundation invited Irina Bokova (former Director-General of UNESCO) and Lazare Eloundou Assomo (Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre) to discuss cultural destruction during armed conflict.
James Cuno, editor of Cultural Heritage and Mass Atrocities, delivered the keynote speech, using case studies such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan and the Ancient City of Aleppo. The discussion focused on research, policy, and action related to protecting people and heritage.
Source: www.wmf.org
02
23rd Cambridge Heritage Forum to be held in May
The 23rd Cambridge Heritage Forum, organized by the Cambridge Heritage Research Centre, will take place on May 11–12 in a hybrid online and offline format.
The theme is “Discovering Human Remains: Heritage Issues and Ethical Considerations.” Topics include exhibition ethics, curation and management, archival research (medical and anthropological reports, visual representation), repatriation, deathscapes and heritage, politics and the dead, epistemologies of death, heritage tourism and mortality, conflict contexts and the dead, as well as art, education, public engagement, and death.
Abstract deadline: March 5.
More information and participation details: www.heritage.arch.cam.ac.uk/events/annual-symposia
Founded in 1996, the Cambridge Heritage Forum is an annual platform for discussing heritage practice and research. Past themes have included African heritage challenges, heritage landscapes, commemorative heritage, heritage and the Olympics, food heritage, heritage and dictatorship, heritage and revolution, and the future of historic cities.
Source: International Heritage Observer
03
ICCROM Online Seminar: Information and Data Management for Cultural Heritage
On February 23, the ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) held an online seminar titled “Information and Data Management for Cultural Heritage.”
The event highlighted how databases are increasingly used to manage diverse heritage data, including historical records, values, locations, and conservation conditions, and to share this information with stakeholders. Such databases are operated both by governments and individual experts.
With the development of online tools, institutions can now use platforms such as Arches to build and manage databases. However, significant challenges remain. The seminar brought together experts to discuss key issues and possible solutions in heritage data systems.
Source: www.iccrom.org
04
UNESCO Releases Ukraine Action Anniversary Report
On February 24, marking one year since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the UNESCO published the “One-Year Report on UNESCO’s Assistance and Action in Ukraine.”
The report summarizes UNESCO’s support over the past year in culture, education, communication, and information sectors, and outlines future recovery plans in Ukraine.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated that in the face of humanitarian crisis, the international community must stand together in support of affected populations. She emphasized that protecting education, science, culture, and heritage is essential, as they preserve the seeds of future peace.
Source: unesdoc.unesco.org
05
Disasters and Heritage Protection: Heritage Sites in the Türkiye–Syria Earthquake
On February 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southeastern Türkiye and neighboring Syria, followed hours later by a magnitude 7.5 aftershock. More than 7,800 people were killed, and thousands of buildings collapsed.
On February 7, UNESCO stated it was ready to assist damaged World Heritage sites in Syria and Türkiye. The ICOMOS expressed condolences and mobilized support for damage assessment and protection efforts.
In Syria, the Ancient City of Aleppo, listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger, suffered severe damage, including the collapse of the western tower of its city wall and damage to several market buildings. Parts of the citadel, including Ottoman-era mills and defensive walls, were destroyed or damaged, and sections of the Ayyubid Mosque minaret and Mamluk tower entrances were affected.
In Türkiye, more than 6,200 buildings collapsed nationwide. Two World Heritage Sites were located in the affected region. The Yeni Mosque in Malatya collapsed during the earthquake. Several workshops in Gaziantep’s historic copper bazaar were damaged. Severe damage was also reported at Gaziantep Castle and parts of the Hevsel Gardens, a World Heritage Site with origins in the Greek and Roman periods.
(seriously damaged Yeni Mosque)
(post-earthquake Gaziantep Castle)
Assessment and documentation efforts are ongoing. On February 17, the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism announced that damage assessments of museums and historic buildings across 11 provinces had been completed, with restoration funding planned to begin in March.
Sources: whc.unesco.org; www.icomos.org; CCTV News
Domestic Heritage News
01
2022 Top Archaeological Discoveries in China
The “Top Archaeological Discoveries in China 2022” were announced. Six selected projects include: the Xuehallangzi (Yunxian Man) Paleolithic site in Shiyan, Hubei; the Sitai Neolithic site in Shangyi, Hebei; the Nanzuo Neolithic site in Qingyang, Gansu; the royal mausoleum area and surrounding remains of Yin Ruins in Anyang, Henan; the He Bo Su Bronze Age site in Kunming, Yunnan; and the Suyukou Western Xia kiln site in Helan, Ningxia.
Source: Xinhua News
02
Progress on the new Sanxingdui Museum
According to project staff, the new Sanxingdui Museum is expected to complete its main structure by May this year. The new building will cover 54,400 square meters, about five times larger than the current exhibition hall.
The Sanxingdui cultural tourism development zone is expected to begin construction in its first phase by the end of the year. Planning for the site area has been completed, and environmental protection and restoration projects will begin gradually.
The site will also expand international outreach through documentaries, promotional films, musicals, and further cultural product development based on the Sanxingdui brand.
Source: Hongbowang
03
[Heritage nomination] Anhui advances World Heritage applications for Lingjiatan and others
Anhui Province will guide the preparation of nomination dossiers and plans for World Heritage inscription, promoting the applications of Lingjiatan and the “Ancient Tea Horse Road.”
The province will continue archaeological excavation at the Wangwu Tomb site in Huainan and carry out major research excavations at sites such as Renzi Cave and Yuhui Village, aiming to highlight Anhui’s role in early human history and Chinese civilization.
It will also accelerate construction of national archaeological site parks including Fengyang Ming Zhongdu, Lingjiatan (Hanshan), Shuangdun and Yuhui Village in Bengbu, Shouchun City in Shou County, and Fanchang Kiln. Major cultural park projects along the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River will also be strengthened.
Source: Anhui Daily
04
Hainan Changjiang launches application for “Kapok–Rice Agroforestry System”
Changjiang Li Autonomous County in Hainan has officially launched efforts to apply for China’s Important Agricultural Cultural Heritage status for the “Kapok–Rice Agroforestry System.”
This traditional agroforestry model in tropical Asia features rich biodiversity, efficient resource cycling, distinctive landscapes of kapok trees and rice fields, traditional food culture, and crafts associated with kapok.
Changjiang, known as the “Hometown of Kapok in China,” hosts widespread kapok trees integrated into rice fields, forming unique terrace and field landscapes. It is considered one of the most complete and large-scale surviving examples of this system globally.
Source: World Heritage
05
Theme of 2023 International Day for Monuments and Sites: “Heritage Changes”
The theme for the 2023 International Day for Monuments and Sites (April 18) is “Heritage Changes.”
The theme explores major global transformations affecting human society, including climate crisis, conflict, pandemics, virtual technologies, and movements for equality. It asks how heritage is affected by these changes, what role it plays, and how it can become a force for sustainable futures across social, environmental, economic, and political dimensions.
The ICOMOS China will organize related activities, inviting proposals for events. Applications should be submitted by March 31 and include event name, organizer, description, time, location, website, and supporting materials.
Source: China ICOMOS
