Arab News Japan

On March 21, the Restoring Syrian Heritage and Reviving Local Communities workshop began that was organized by the Syria Trust for Development—a national development organization leading social change– in cooperation with the Syria Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, enabling speakers to give presentations during the event.

There were three panel discussions including: “The Role of International Organisations for Syrian Cultural Heritage,” “Experiences in Recovering Cultural Heritage and Local Communities,” and “The Case of Aleppo.”

Fares Kallas, A trustee of the Syria Trust for Development introduced the workshop by sharing how “restoring Syria’s tangible and intangible heritage is a priority for us but we know that we cannot do this alone. We know that this is a task that national and international efforts need to come together for. Not to help Syria alone, but to help in cementing the spirit of humanity in what we do and leaving a legacy to be proud of.”

The aim of the workshop was to introduce solutions and possible resources that could aid Syria’s world heritage, and the first speaker of the day, Director of International Relations, Directory General of Archaeology and Museums in Syria (DGAM), Lina Kuteifan outlined the current situation of Syrian cultural heritage sites.

The workshop ended with a video announcement by Italian painter, and art theorist Michelangelo Pistoletto who revealed the new installation of his iconic “The Third Paradise” located in the world heritage site of the old city of Aleppo, as it symbolizes rebirth, peace and reconciliation.

The six sites have been placed on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Dange, but have been compromised as a result of armed conflict in the region.

Syria’s pavilion at Expo Dubai outlines the rich civilization, and heritage of the country and welcomes visitors from around the world to learn more about it.