Projects from 12 Arab countries compete for the ICCROM-Sharjah Award 2023-2024

The ICCROM Regional Office in Sharjah has announced the shortlist of projects nominated for the fourth cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Protection in the Arab Region (2023-2024).

The list includes 18 outstanding projects from 12 Arab countries: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, and Yemen.

Mr. Nasser Al-Darmaki, Deputy Director of the ICCROM Regional Office in Sharjah, stated: "The current cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices has achieved a remarkable presence and was distinguished by the participation of a large number of projects, reaching a record number not achieved in previous cycles."

He added: "In this cycle, the award received 51 projects from various parts of the Arab region. Undoubtedly, this great response confirms the increasing awareness and commitment to the necessity of preserving cultural heritage in the region on one hand, and the importance of highlighting the efforts made within this framework on the other."

The nominated projects are notably diverse, including digital documentation initiatives such as the "Documentation of Rock Art in Sharjah" project from the UAE, and the "Digital Documentation as a Decision-Making Tool in Heritage Conservation" project from Bahrain.

The list also includes traditional restoration projects such as "Restoration of Dar Toukan" in Palestine, and the "Restoration and Reinforcement Project of the Omari Mosque in Daraa City" in Syria.

Projects combining heritage preservation and sustainable development are also prominent on the list, such as the "Hospitable Town of Al-Eizariya" project in Palestine, and the "Conservation and Adaptive Reuse of Traditional Structures and Open Spaces in Misfat Al-Abriyeen" project in Oman.

Notably, the award includes projects from countries experiencing difficult circumstances, such as the "Rescue Project for the Folklore Museum in Sana'a" in Yemen, and the "Cultural Heritage Management in Libya" project, emphasizing the importance of heritage preservation even in times of crisis.

The list also includes unique projects such as "Preservation of Cinematic Cultural Heritage" from Lebanon, and "Legacy of a Lexicon: Management, Conservation, and Documentation of Ahmed Pasha Kamal's Dictionary" from Egypt, highlighting the diversity of cultural heritage forms in the Arab region.

The winners of the fourth cycle of the award will be announced at a special ceremony held in Sharjah in late November of this year. A grand prize for good practices in cultural heritage conservation and protection will be awarded, along with two appreciation awards in the fields of community engagement and conservation and innovation.

This biennial award, granted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, serves as a platform to highlight exceptional efforts in cultural heritage preservation in the Arab region. It aims to encourage innovation and excellence in this vital field and to promote awareness of the importance of heritage preservation as an essential part of the region's cultural identity.

It's worth noting that the ICCROM Regional Office in Sharjah, established in 2012, is an important source of knowledge related to cultural heritage in the Arab region. The center works to expand access to, appreciation of, and understanding of the region's rich history, contributing to efforts to preserve Arab cultural heritage for future generations.

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