Cultural solidarity pledge

TDT | Manama

Bahrain has signed an international solidarity statement to recover the damaged cultural heritage in the Lebanese capital Beirut, it was announced yesterday. In line with this, the Kingdom has pledged to assist in efforts of providing “cultural first aid and longer-term recovery interventions”.

Bahrain, an icon of cultural diversity and richness, was represented by both the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA). The Kingdom is among 27 public and private international institutions that is ready to help with the preservation and protection of the Lebanese heritage.

“We wish to express our solidarity with the Lebanese people for the tragedy that has struck the city of Beirut,” the statement of solidarity with Lebanon read. “We are saddened by these events and we send our condolences for the loss of lives and our shared concern for the scale of material destruction.”

In regards to Lebanon’s unique cultural heritage, the statement continued: “As members and practitioners of the heritage protection community, we have worked for decades alongside the Lebanese people to safeguard and preserve the nation’s unique cultural heritage. “We remain by your side to continue our collective work during these challenging times.

“Damaged libraries, museums, and historic buildings will require cultural first aid and longer-term recovery interventions. Their collections will need urgent protection and salvaging. “We pledge to do all that we can to contribute to the complete recovery of the heritage that has been damaged in Beirut by this blast.”

The bodies from around the world that signed the solidarity statement and pledged help include: Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (Bahrain); ArcHerNet (Germany); Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Bahrain); BlueShield International; British Council Managed UK Cultural Protection Fund (UK); Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine-Ecole de Chaillot (France); Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi (UAE); EUROPA NOSTRA-The European Voice of Civil Society committed to Cultural Heritage; Fondation Nationale des Musées (Morocco); Global Heritage Fund (US); Honor Frost Foundation (UK); Institut du Monde Arabe (France); Institut Français du Proche Orient (France); Institut National du Patrimoine (France); International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas; International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property; International Council of Museums; Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; Ministry of Culture of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg; Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (France); Musée du Louvre (France); Musée National du Mali (Mali); National Museum of China (China); Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development (Netherlands); Rempart (France); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; World Monuments Fund (US).