Barbar Temple Poised for World Heritage Status: Preservation Efforts Ramped Up
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com
Blending historical relevance with contemporary necessity, the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) has noted that the Barbar Temple has been on the Tentative List for World Heritage since 2008.
This status opens opportunities for further historical and comparative studies, along with measures to safeguard and enhance this archaeologically vital site.
The Authority has kept in touch with the Northern Municipal Council to spruce up the Barbar Temple site. Recently, in conjunction with the Council, the site’s exterior façade was updated, and several trees were planted around its perimeter.
This initiative follows a proposal to speed up the procedural study for the inclusion of Barbar Temples in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which received approval at the Northern Municipal Council meeting on 10 June.
The Chairman of the Northern Municipal Council, Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedai, noted that the historic Barbar Temple is top of the list for the Council in the current municipal term.
This is evident in the approval of a partnership proposal to rehabilitate and preserve the historic Barbar Temples, construct essential facilities, and prepare them to become a global centre for cultural and heritage tourism, thereby showcasing Bahrain’s cultural standing.
This initiative aligns with the interests of visitors from Europe, Latin America, and East Asia who frequent the site.
Dr Al Wedai explained that the proposal involves exploring partnerships with private sector companies and institutions to develop a plan that meets the technical requirements for preserving the Barbar Temples site.
This includes constructing a structure to protect the main components of the temples from erosion and climatic changes, ensuring the site remains a historical treasure for future generations.
The plan also includes ensuring that the building meets technical and display requirements to present the temples’ components, history, and cultural value, as well as their place in global cultural and historical heritage.
Additionally, provisions include creating parking spaces for visitors, constructing a rest area for cultural meetings and activities by visual artists, and hosting school and university students.
The plan also ensures the provision of service requirements and sanitary facilities for visitors, intellectuals, artists, and tourist delegations and stresses the importance of guarding the site to prevent any encroachment or theft of its components.
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