FONDEMA hosted a roundtable discussion, late May, that sought to explore the state of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the contemporary Southern Mediterranean region, promoting discussion on the topic of cultural heritage today as it impacts significantly on the future stability of communities and societies.
The discussion was held in the context of the on-going conflict in parts of the Middle East and the Levant, posing a further threat on the preservation of cultural heritage in the affected areas.
The event was moderated by Ms. Antje Grebner (The Hague University), she moderated a multidisciplinary panel consisting of: Dr Claudio Cimino(Secretary General of WATCH), Ms Koosje Spitz (Netherlands Commission to UNESCO), Dr Marilena Vecco (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Dr Olivier Nieuwenhuijse (Leiden University/Centre for Global Heritage and Development) and Dr Simona Pinton (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice).
Dr Marilena Vecco explained that although there is no rational justification in economic terms for arts/conservation financing, it creates positive externalities. She drew upon ‘Maybe it should be remembered that in any society Heritage is recognised by the fact that its loss is a sacrifice and its conservation entails sacrifices? This is the law of any sacredness’ (Castel)
Ms Koosje Spitz (Netherlands Commission for UNESCO) Ms Spitz stated that the destruction of cultural heritage in times of conflict or as an instrument in warfare is of all times and of all regions, it is a matter that should concern all parts of the world as culture is the record of humanity.
Dr Olivier Nieuwenhuijse talked about the strong dutch tradition of archaeological research in the region and the multiple threats to continued work.
Dr Claudio Cimino emphasised how intangible and tangible cultural heritage are intrinsically linked and that preservation efforts of one without the other are futile.
Dr Simona Pinton’s main point was that international law does have a role to play in preventing the destruction of tangible and intangible heritage and that the current legislation in place can be used as a suitable framework.
Photography by FONDEMA.
