Protecting Heritage to Build Peace
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Protecting Heritage to Build Peace
7 Ms. Bariza Khiari, Chair of the Foundation Board and Representative of France – Continuity in Change
11 Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, Private Donor, Chair of the Foundation Board (2017– 2023) – The Honour of a Lifetime
THE FIRST ALIPH FORUM 14
17 HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board and Representative of the United Arab Emirates – The First ALIPH Forum
20 A Family Reunion
27 HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia, Representative of Saudi Arabia – The First International Cultural Excellence Award
31 Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Fleming, President and CEO of J. Paul Getty Trust – Cultural Heritage Is Not a Luxury
ALIPH IN THE WORLD 32
35 Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki, Chair (ad interim) of the Scientific Committee
38 ALIPH’s Projects
41 ALIPH in Numbers
42 Some Completed Projects in 2023
44 Rehabilitating the Tsiskarauli Tower (Georgia)
48 Rehabilitating the Raqqa Museum and Its Collection (Syria)
52 Revitalizing Trades for Heritage Restoration through the Rehabilitation of a Historical Villa (Lebanon)
56 Rehabilitating the Zahrat El Ihsan Greek Orthodox School and Orphanage (Lebanon)
60 Emergency Stabilization at the World Heritage Site of Ghadames (Libya)
67 Mr. Valery Freland, Executive Director – Preventing, Saving, Rehabilitating
72 Project Photos
72 Ukraine
76 Türkiye
78 Syria
FOCUS ON MOSUL 88
91 Dr. Laith Husein, Head of the Department of Archaeology, College of Arts, University of Baghdad, Member of the ALIPH Scientific Committee
92 Rehabilitating the Mosul Museum and its Collection
96 Restoring the Tutunji House
100 Restoring the Al Masfi Mosque
104 Emergency Protection of the Monumental Lamassu Sculpture
108 Ms. Violaine de Montclos, Special Correspondent to Le Point – When Iraq Recovers Its Memory
FOCUS ON YEMEN 118
121 Dr. Elke Selter, Director of Programs
122 Protecting the Unique Heritage of the City of Shibam
124 Restoring the Al Qu’aiti Palace
126 Restoring the Taiz National Museum Complex
128 Safeguarding the Heritage of Old Sana’a
130 Stabilizing the ‘Alha Mosque on the Island of Socotra
ALIPH and Climate Change
135 Dr. Bastien Varoutsikos, Director of Strategy
ALIPH ON THE Stage 136
139 Dr. Sandra Bialystok, Director of Communications and Partnerships
Introduction
Introduction
7 Ms. Bariza Khiari, Chair of the Foundation Board and Representative of France – Continuity in Change
11 Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, Private Donor, Chair of the Foundation Board (2017–2023) – The Honour of a Lifetime
CONTINUITY IN CHANGE
MS. BARIZA KHIARI
CHAIR OF THE FOUNDATION BOARD AND REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE
It is with deep gratitude and an immense sense of responsibility that I write this as the new Chair of the ALIPH Foundation Board, having succeeded Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan on 14 November 2023. First, I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Chair—who, fortunately, will remain with us!—and who, over the past six years has put his inspiring vision, extraordinary talent, unflagging commitment, appetite for action, and strong sense of public engagement at the service of ALIPH. His leadership has been crucial in making ALIPH a major—and now internationally recognized—player in heritage protection in conflict and post-conflict zones.
As I take over the reins of the ALIPH Foundation Board, I am aware of the many expectations set by our organization’s successes during my predecessor’s tenure. But I am also setting out on this new stage in our Foundation’s journey strengthened by our philosophy of agility, consensus, and the field—or, as Tom sums up in our motto, “Action, Action, Action.” I intend to preserve what has made us successful while adapting to a world where protecting heritage is not just about remedying the horrors of the past but also increasingly about preventing or responding on a daily basis to the crises that are shaking our times.
Our world’s troubles are, of course, a source of great concern, but they must also lead us to think of ways to achieve renewed ambition, to do better and do more in the name of protecting our heritage, wherever it may be. Conflict and climate change threaten human lives; they also threaten the richness and diversity of our societies. At ALIPH, we protect not only monuments and artifacts, but also stories, heritages, and identities in all their plurality. And all the people who work in the field every day to preserve our heritage are guardians of this collective memory: we are determined, thanks to the unfailing commitment of our governance and the ALIPH Secretariat, to continue to support them in concrete and effective ways.
Reflecting these developments, 2023 has been a pivotal year for ALIPH.
For the first time, we brought together the whole ALIPH family—members, donors, partners, and operators—for our first forum, held in March 2023 in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), which welcomed 200 participants from some 40 countries. It was, by all accounts, a great success! We were also honored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which awarded us the first International Cultural Excellence Award in Riyadh in September 2023—a recognition that crowns our first years of action.
We were also pleased to welcome two new members in 2023: the Republic of Cyprus and the J. Paul Getty Trust, represented respectively by Ms. Eleni Apeyitou and Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Fleming, and to consolidate or renew many of our existing partnerships, notably with the European Union.
In addition, our rapid crisis response model continued to prove its mettle. After the first emergency action plans implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the explosion in the Port of Beirut, and the war in Ukraine, we launched five others plans to preserve cultural heritage affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Morocco, the floods in Libya, the crisis in the Caucasus, and the conflict in Gaza.
In the coming months, working hand in hand with our partners, we will continue not only to strengthen our ability to respond rapidly to crises but also to support those projects that promise to integrate a more sustainable focus and bring a brighter future to the communities concerned. We will also take on the great challenge of protecting heritage from the negative consequences of climate change in the most vulnerable areas.
With your support, I am convinced we will be able to live up to this challenge.
THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME
DR. THOMAS S. KAPLAN PRIVATE DONOR CHAIR OF THE ALIPH FOUNDATION BOARD (2017–2023)
Cultural heritage is the shared tapestry that binds humanity together, the fullest expression of mankind’s genius in diversity, and the hallowed guarantor of our collective memory. Safeguarding this unifying treasure in times of crisis represents both a critical mission and a moral responsibility. The International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) was established in 2017 to answer that very call and to embody the international community’s forceful riposte to this unfolding tragedy.
For the six years that followed, I had the distinct honor and tremendous privilege to chair our Foundation Board and to act as the custodian of that most eminent mandate. As my second term of service comes to an end—with ALIPH having reached “escape velocity” in organizational effectiveness as well as programmatic impact—it is with the utmost confidence that I pass the baton to my dear friend and esteemed comrade, Bariza Khiari, Representative of France. Bariza and I are like siblings—our mutual trust is infinite and our values identical.
With the visionary leadership of my “brothers in arms,” our magnificent Vice-Chair, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Representative of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the support of all the other exceptional members of our Foundation Board, whom I sincerely thank for their steadfast commitment to ALIPH’s work, I could not be more hopeful in the future of our common enterprise—and in the august promise that it holds.
At the time of our humble beginnings, the challenge presented to us by our co-founders, the governments of France and the UAE, was simply enormous: to create—from scratch—a new and dynamic multilateral instrument, based on rapid response and concrete solutions, to affect change on the ground in some of the world’s most complex operational environments. An alliance of both public and private actors, sovereign entities and individual donors, scientists and NGO leaders mobilized to ensure that cultural heritage anywhere and everywhere can preserve its majestic beauty and maintain its timeless function.
A mere few years later, the results are here for all to behold. ALIPH has a track record and is giving flesh—day in and day out—to its dignified motto of protecting heritage to build peace.
As of today, the Foundation has supported over 450 projects in some 35 countries. It has forged close partnerships with hundreds of local stakeholders, providing sustained multiyear assistance as well as immediate relief—including literal lifelines in emergency situations— from Beirut to Aleppo, Gao to Sana’a, Kharkiv to Khartoum, and now Gaza.
During my tenure as Chair, ALIPH grew from 4 to 16 full-time staff members, expanded its footprint exponentially, raised an additional USD 100 million to fund its second 5-year cycle, and gained significant clout on the international stage. And yet the organization never compromised an inch on its trademark agility and relentless focus on tangible impact. As our reach and stature increased dramatically, we never lost touch of the startup spirit and defining ethos that have underpinned our success since day 1. “Action, Action, Action” remained our mantra and “the ALIPH Way” our sole compass.
Throughout these years of astonishing growth and ferocious activity, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering devotion and impressive competence of our Geneva-based Secretariat, led by the truly superb Valéry Freland, as well as the invaluable role played by the Foundation’s Scientific Committee and related advisory bodies. Working together with each and every one of them has simply been the honor of a lifetime. Indeed, ALIPH is more than a team of dedicated and inspiring professionals—it is a family.
And so, as I close this most meaningful and gratifying chapter of my life, with Antoine Artiganave, my own family’s inestimable partner in this and so many other journeys, by my side, our thoughts go to all these women and men, whether direct colleagues or geographically distant associates, grantees or financial backers, who have made— and will continue to make—this organization so special and its cause so worthy.
May they find here the highest expression of my sincere gratitude and most profound admiration—for their courage, their determination, and their audacity.
Longue vie à ALIPH!
THE FIRST
ABU DHABI, 6-7 MARCH 2023
17 HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board and Representative of the United Arab Emirates – The First ALIPH Forum
20 A Family Reunion
The First ALIPH Forum
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak Chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board and Representative of the United Arab Emirates
In an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape, the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) continues in its mission to protect at-risk cultural heritage, focusing on three core areas of intervention: preventive protection to limit the risks of destruction; emergency measures to ensure the security of heritage; and post-conflict actions to enable local populations to once again benefit from their cultural treasures.
The pressing need to protect cultural heritage in conflict and post-conflict areas is ongoing, and the growing impact of climate change and natural disasters on cultural heritage must also be addressed. To regroup and solidify a strategic path forward, Abu Dhabi once again welcomed the ALIPH family of board members, governance members, donors, partners, and operator groups for the organization’s 2023 Forum in March.
Abu Dhabi is where ALIPH’s story began in 2017, when the first conference brought together public, private, and nongovernmental institutions to commit to protecting and preserving endangered cultural heritage, particularly in areas afflicted by war, unrest, or terrorism.
More than 200 participants from 40 countries gathered at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi to review ALIPH’s journey of supporting positive change and to look ahead, charting a future of embracing best practices and exchanging knowledge both thematically and from a regional perspective.
Emphasis was placed on the need to develop concrete projects that promote sustainable development through on-the-job training, community engagement, and the use of traditional materials and know-how. Key learnings resulted in elements to be reinforced in ALIPH’s roadmap for the coming years, including strengthening of preventive measures (such as inventories of collections, 3D digitization, etc.) as well as improvement of rapid crisis response mechanisms.
Since this gathering, ALIPH has been working tirelessly to intervene in areas of conflict around the world, from Syria, Iraq, and Mali to Lebanon, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Armenia. Continuing in our mission to protect the world’s heritage, preserve endangered cultural property, and restore sites of cultural significance, our team, in 2023, once again proved its ability to act as Cultural Heritage First Responders.
The United Arab Emirates is proud to continue leading this initiative alongside our longstanding cultural partner, France. We are committed to protecting cultural heritage for future generations, and this is a vision shared with our ALIPH family of board members, partners, donors, and key players. I extend my thanks and appreciation to these individuals and their teams, who support ALIPH’s capability and responsiveness to tackle heritage emergencies and bring reconciliation post-crisis.
A FAMILY REUNION
On 6 and 7 March 2023, ALIPH held its first Forum, an event organized at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
More than 200 professionals traveled to Abu Dhabi from over 40 countries, among them heritage experts, representatives of NGOs, states, and international organizations. This was the first time that the Foundation’s partners had ever assembled, and the cross-section of attendees was testament to the deep and extensive network of heritage professionals and supporters ALIPH has amassed since its founding in 2017.
Two key themes emerged during the gathering. First, the pressing need to protect cultural heritage in conflict and post-conflict areas is not behind us, but still ahead. Second, beyond conflicts, the deleterious impact of climate change and natural disasters on cultural heritage needs to be faced head on, through an organized and coherent approach that includes promoting concrete projects that integrate traditional know-how and materials, community engagement, and on-the-job training.
The Forum was opened by the representatives of ALIPH’s co-founding countries: HE Mohamed Al Mubarak and Ms. Bariza Khiari. It was closed by HE Salem Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates and Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, private donor and former Chair of the ALIPH Foundation Board.
RECOGNITION
RECOGNITION
FOR ALIPH
27 HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia, Representative of Saudi Arabia – The First International Cultural Excellence Award
31 Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Fleming, President and CEO of J. Paul Getty Trust – Cultural Heritage Is Not a Luxury
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud Minister of Culture, Saudi Arabia Representative of Saudi Arabia to the Foundation Board
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places a significant emphasis on safeguarding heritage in conflict areas. This stems from the Kingdom’s recognition of heritage’s significance in human civilization and its role in fostering peace and dialogue among the world’s peoples, as well as the fact that culture in all its sectors is one of the most important objectives of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes in creating an enabling environment that promotes collaborative efforts to protect and preserve cultural heritage to achieve global cultural objectives that call for boosting collective collaboration between concerned organizations and encouraging international contributions to the culture and heritage space. Therefore, the Kingdom’s active role in the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) comes in cooperation with several friends to protect and preserve heritage.
As an advocate of peace, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is dedicated to supporting international efforts aimed at preserving cultural heritage and strengthening its role in promoting peace and social integration. To contribute to these efforts, the Kingdom has contributed USD 30 million in support of the ALIPH Foundation fund to enhance its active role in the preservation and rehabilitation of endangered cultural heritage through local restoration and training projects to boost awareness around the significance of protecting heritage, in addition to organizing a host of training programs and workshops. The Foundation has launched over 180 projects and allocated more than USD 60 million to restore historical sites and heritage buildings, as well as to empower local communities to reclaim their cultural heritage.
Based on the Foundation’s principal role in supporting social peace, ensuring the safety of endangered cultural heritage, and its efforts in preserving the intangible heritage of local communities, as well as in recognition of the Foundation’s noble objectives and appreciation of its efforts, the Saudi Ministry of Culture announced during the National Cultural Awards ceremony held in Riyadh on 9 September 2023, its decision to grant the Foundation the International Cultural Excellence Award of the year 2023 for its part in launching cultural initiatives that contributed to the reconstruction of areas affected by wars and conflicts. The Awards Committee saw in the ALIPH Foundation a worthy recipient of the recognition for its dedication to protecting and preserving tangible and intangible wealth.
Finally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia values all efforts aimed at protecting heritage and promoting culture and the arts worldwide, as they represent a universal humanitarian umbrella and bridges for dialogue and peace around the world.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
IS NOT A LUXURY
DR. Katherine Elizabeth Fleming PRESIDENT AND CEO, J. PAUL GETTY TRUST
Cultural heritage is no less a victim of war than are people. And caring about it and its preservation is not a luxury: Cultural heritage lies at the very heart of who we are. It connects us to our own pasts, and, as world cultural heritage, it binds us together with peoples across the planet.
Participation in ALIPH is compelling because of its crisp mandate: to protect the cultural heritage of humanity. Its model of flexibility and agility takes it out of the realm of endless conversation, debate, and theoretical discussion and puts it on the front line of relevance and action.
As the CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, I am delighted to be a bridge with ALIPH, whose work so resonates with that of the Getty. The mission of both organizations rests on the shared recognition of the critical importance of human creation to our sense of history and our hope for the future. It is thus a particular source of pride to have been invited to work with ALIPH. I hope that in being involved with both institutions, each will be enriched by its deepened knowledge of the other.
ALIPH THE
(ad interim) of
the Tsiskarauli Tower (Georgia)
Rehabilitating the Raqqa Museum and Its Collection (Syria)
Revitalizing Trades for Heritage Restoration through the Rehabilitation of a Historical Villa (Lebanon)
56 Rehabilitating the Zahrat El Ihsan Greek Orthodox School and Orphanage (Lebanon)
60 Emergency Stabilization at the World Heritage Site of Ghadames (Libya)
THE WORLD
Aliph in the world
Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki Chair (ad interim) of the Scientific Committee
Who could have imagined in March 2017—when ALIPH was created through the initiative of the United Arab Emirates and France— the brilliant journey this Foundation, established in Geneva, has undertaken. For several years, ALIPH has responded to the challenges posed by crises and wars that not only affect civilian populations but also aim to destroy their cultural heritage.
ALIPH works in collaboration with major governmental and nongovernmental institutions whose mission is also cooperation for the safeguarding of cultural heritage in the world. But the Foundation more specifically provides assistance in cases where heritage is endangered by conflicts and the consequences of climate change. ALIPH, based in Geneva, is resolutely committed to responding to projects requiring urgent action, comparable to that of first aid granted to people.
The Foundation Board, its presidency, and its management have initiated a successful fundraising policy, and the Foundation has established a dynamic operational structure. Thanks to these, along with human and financial resources that include a Scientific Committee, of which I am the interim Chair, projects have multiplied in different regions of the world marked by conflicts. These include in
Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe (Ukraine), and more particularly in the Middle East, the most seriously affected region.
Numerous missions have made it possible to develop a global vision for approaching problems, as was the case in Abu Dhabi, during the first Forum organized by ALIPH with the assistance of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the United Arab Emirates on 6–7 March 2023. More than 200 experts from more than 40 countries participated.
I had the opportunity to participate in several missions in the field, such as in Lebanon for the monitoring of the restoration of Beirut’s Sursok Museum and in Iraq, in particular in Mosul, where a number of restoration projects were launched. This included religious monuments, but also one of the most emblematic projects — the Mosul Museum. The restoration of the building of the museum is being carried out by World Monuments Fund and that of the collections by specialists from the Louvre Museum.
The year 2023 was particularly rich for the Foundation and the credit goes to the dynamic team led by an Executive Director who is always on deck.
From 21 June 2018 to 31 December 2023, ALIPH supported 401 projects in 35 countries. Over half of these have already been completed.
ALIPH
ALIPH’s Projects
From 21 June 2018 to 31 december 2023 * Support to ALIPH Member State in response to the 2023 earthquake
Türkiye
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Lebanon
Morocco
Libya
Haiti 2
Senegal
Mali
Colombia
Peru 1
Chile
Côte d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Niger
Democratic
Cyprus
Syria
Palestine
Georgia
Mozambique
Armenia
Iraq
Israel
Ethiopia
Sudan
Afghanistan
International
Somalia
Yemen
Pakistan
Bangladesh
From 21 June 2018 to 31 December 2023
Total projects
233 Completed projects
168 Ongoing projects
$ 86,621,788 Funds committed
Some completed projects in 2023
GEORGIA
Rehabilitating the Tsiskarauli Tower (Khevsureti Region)
Operators: International National Trusts Organisation (INTO), in collaboration with the National Trust of Georgia and REMPART
Erected in the 16th–17th centuries in the mountains of northern Georgia, the 22-meter high Tsiskarauli Tower was at risk of collapse. In 2001, during the Chechen War, this rare example of the region’s medieval defensive architecture was struck by a missile. Forty-six local and international young volunteers and experts from Georgia, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom restored the site using traditional materials and techniques. Once the structure was stabilized, the hiking trails around it were marked so that ecotourism around the site could be developed for the benefit of the local community.
Rehabilitating the Raqqa Museum and Its Collection
Operators: La Guilde Européenne du Raid, in collaboration with the NGO Roya, Impact, the Raqqa Civil Council, and Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz Berlin with the support of the Principality of Monaco
The Raqqa Museum housed an important collection of cultural and archaeological objects from Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. The Daesh occupation of the region between 2014 and 2017 scarred this institution profoundly: its extensive collection of some 8,000 artifacts was severely looted, leaving behind only 800 pieces.
A project to rehabilitate the museum building was launched in 2019, led by La Guilde Européenne du Raid and the local NGO Roya in cooperation with the city authorities. It emphasized the use of local materials, such as bricks fired in a traditional kiln located on the outskirts of the town. The second project then focused on documenting and inventorying the artifacts that survived the conflict, followed by preventive conservation to ensure adequate conditions for their storage.
The work to rehabilitate the Raqqa Museum and its collection was complemented by a project by Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz Berlin to reconstruct the inventory of the looted collection by compiling information from the museum and data from the archaeological excavations in the German and Dutch archives.
These three projects, supported by ALIPH, helped to revive the museum, which reopened its doors in November 2023. The inaugural exhibition “Witnesses of the Past and Present”—viewed by the public and many local schoolchildren—presented 50 artifacts.
LEBANON
Revitalizing Trades for Heritage Restoration through the Rehabilitation of a Historical Villa (Beirut)
Operators: Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), in cooperation with the General Directorate of Antiquities of Lebanon
The Villa Al Makassed, a late 19th-century palatial house, suffered extensive damage following the Beirut explosion of 4 August 2020. This historical building is the headquarters of the Sunni charitable Foundation, Al Makassed, founded in 1879. It is home to a library of 35,000 books—the largest collection of publications on Islam in Lebanon—which is now open to the public. This project, led by the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), in cooperation with the General Directorate of Antiquities of Lebanon, restored a building of architectural and social importance, contributing to preserving the social fabric of the neighborhood. The project also trained 74 youth—nearly 30% of whom were women—in heritage restoration skills and trades to help them integrate into the job market.
Rehabilitating the Zahrat El Ihsan Greek Orthodox School and Orphanage (Beirut)
Operators: Œuvre d’Orient, in partnership with the Greek-Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut and the General Directorate of Antiquities of Lebanon, with co-funding from ALIPH, Œuvre d’Orient, Archdiocese of Beirut, and Hungary Helps
The Zahrat El Ihsan Greek Orthodox school is one of the oldest schools in Beirut, founded in 1881 to educate young girls. This institution—comprising a school, an orphanage, a convent, and a church—was badly damaged by the Beirut explosion on 4 August 2020. A rehabilitation project of the building was led by Œuvre d’Orient, in partnership with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, and co-financed by these two partners as well as by ALIPH and Hungary Helps. Following initial consolidation work, the reconstruction of the traditional wooden frame and tiled roof were completed. The institution today welcomes almost 1,000 girls and boys.
Emergency Stabilization at the World Heritage Site of Ghadames
Operator: King’s College London
The desert city of Ghadames, inscribed on the World Heritage List, is testimony to Libya’s archaeological treasures. However, as a result of conflict, the site was placed on the World Heritage in Danger list in 2016. This project, led by King’s College London, in collaboration with the Libyan Department of Antiquities, contributed to protecting the site through emergency stabilization measures, development of management plans, and training of local professionals in heritage protection techniques, paving the way for future conservation measures.
FIRST THE
THE GROUND
PREVENTING, SAVING, REHABILITATING
Mr. Valéry Freland Executive Director
Today, perhaps more than ever, our heritage is under threat. It is under threat due to lack of maintenance, although this is nothing new; uncontrolled urbanization, which is eroding historic districts and archaeological sites; the impact of climate change, which is reducing earthen architecture to dust and engulfing ancient cities—most likely a more recent reason; and war, alas, a growing concern over the past 30 years. In just a few years, heritage has burst onto the international scene. It has become not only collateral damage of conflict but very often a target, or even a weapon, of war—as we saw in Hatra or in Mosul when Daesh shared images of destruction on social media, like trophies of a bitter victory.
This situation is undoubtedly the result of a convergence of three phenomena. First, for more than 30 years, conflicts have multiplied and diversified around the globe. Second, the question of identity is often tied to conflict, and even if it is not overt, it can be instrumentalized for violence. To that end, cultural heritage is the most visible—the most tangible—facet of our identities, and to attack it is to touch the hearts of people in the very depths of their humanity—indeed our humanity. Finally, global trends toward digitization and developing social networks mean that war can be staged and terror can be fed by tragic images of devastated heritage. And it is no longer just acts of terrorism: the destruction of cultural heritage around the world plays out in a constant stream on our phones, alongside the latest extravagances of reality TV stars.
In the face of such a challenge, what can the international community do? We sometimes hear, “Why worry about heritage, when our sisters and brothers are dying under bombs?” But must we choose between stones—these not-so-silent witnesses to our past—and the people who live within and near them and whose livelihoods depend on them? Are these two not inextricably linked? Is this heritage not a connection between past and present and a foundation for building a shared future?
ALIPH was created in Geneva in 2017 to strengthen the international response to protecting endangered cultural heritage, following the December 2016 Conference on Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage in Abu Dhabi. Today, ALIPH is present in 35 countries, through almost 450 projects implemented from Afghanistan to Niger, from Sudan to Yemen, from Ukraine to Palestine.
How can we make our heritage a vehicle for peace? When we make the connection between cultural heritage and peace, it is essential to understand what heritage represents and to whom. We must also underline that while this link can seem evident to most of us, it is sometimes hard to demonstrate. In this respect, there is a need to collect data, to record references, and to share good practices: this is a task for ALIPH.
For cultural heritage to contribute to peace, it must first be preserved. It is self-evident that the loss of heritage—the eradication of an identity—can engender resentment, hatred, and even violence, sometimes over several centuries. We see it today in many conflicts. This is one of the reasons why heritage must be preserved: to guard against grievances or any potential source of future disputes.
We must also act preventatively. We do this by documenting not just collections and monuments but also intangible heritage as a shield against losing this knowledge to oblivion; by securing museums and heritage sites; and by providing training for emergency situations. We did this in 2019–2020 in Abidjan, for example, at the Musée des civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire, and we will continue to do this wherever it might be necessary. But this in itself is a challenge: how can we identify the sites that are most at risk? Here again, research must provide us with better information on potential conflicts or threats linked to climate change. We must encourage modeling work—which is something we are ready to do at ALIPH— to be in a better position to identify potential crisis zones in advance.
We also need to be prepared to intervene in the midst of conflict. ALIPH has used its agility—and by this we mean the agility that comes with being a private foundation under Swiss law and having an action-oriented mindset— to preserve cultural heritage that is caught in the heart of conflict. Intervening in the midst of turmoil means taking several factors into account:
- The nature of the conflict. Is it tied to questions of identity that will likely endanger cultural heritage? This is often the case, but not always.
- Access to the areas under conflict. This depends on two main factors. The first is the type of military intervention. A big difference exists between a war waged along the border between two large territories, such as in Ukraine today, and a war in a circumscribed and highly urbanized area, facing bombing and ground operations, such as in Gaza, where it is much more difficult to intervene. Furthermore, access to a particular territory can be restricted by the authorities of a sovereign state or by one of the warring parties.
- The presence of partners on-site. Having cultural institutions, NGOs, professionals, and volunteers capable of carrying out emergency actions or providing materials is essential. This has been the case in Ukraine, where we were able to rapidly protect the collections of 400 cultural institutions throughout the country. It has been more complicated in Sudan, for example, where some of our professionals had to flee the country for security reasons.
Then comes the time for rehabilitation, which can play an essential role in the rebuilding process. Protecting heritage can contribute to peacebuilding by fighting against illicit trafficking of cultural goods—a source of funding for terrorism—but also by contributing to intercultural and interreligious dialogue. In this respect, it is essential to consider the impact of any rehabilitation project. Rebuilding a monument also means rebuilding the social fabric of a community. Rehabilitating places of worship, as ALIPH is doing in Mosul alongside UNESCO, can breathe new life into a neighborhood, encouraging businesses to open and attracting tourists. Rehabilitating a heritage site can also send an encouraging message to the people most directly associated with it, showing that they might once again live in their home regions.
Rehabilitating heritage can also promote a region’s social and economic development by creating jobs, training people, and transferring knowledge, as well as by strengthening the cultural tourism economy. In Beirut, Lebanon, a project supported by ALIPH to rehabilitate a historical house and revitalize traditional craftsmanship created onthe-job training and employment opportunities for 74 young people, both Lebanese and Syrian, in a challenging economic context.
Finally, safeguarding heritage can play a role in the fight against climate change. For centuries, local communities have been using sustainable practices adapted to their environment, reflected in their built heritage and how they manage water, land, and agriculture. These practices can be effective solutions to counter the negative effects of climate change. This pivotal role for cultural heritage was recognized at COP28 in Dubai. For example, in Agadez, Niger, the rehabilitation of the old town relied heavily on local skills and materials, but also on the adaptation of traditional building techniques.
Naturally, the long-term positive impact of the rehabilitation of cultural heritage on the process of stabilization can be realized only if local people and communities are involved in or lead these projects. It is also important to approach the issue with as much objectivity, neutrality, and pragmatism as possible: separating cultural heritage from a strictly political or identity dimension will help us to better protect it.
Operators: Museum for Change, in partnership with cultural heritage professionals in Odesa
RESTORING THE ANI CATHEDRAL, TÜRKIYE
Operators: World Monuments Fund, in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
SAFEGUARDING
CULTURAL HERITAGE IN SYRIA IMPACTED
Operators: AKTC, Hungary Helps, Iconem, UNESCO, and University of Florence
Operators: Section Française de la Direction des Antiquités du Soudan and Musée du Louvre, in partnership with the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM)
Operators: Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, in partnership with the National Corporation for Antiquities and
PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE IN OLD DONGOLA, SUDAN
3D DOCUMENTATION OF HERITAGE IN ARMENIA
Operators: Iconem, in partnership with TUMO
SAFEGUARDING CULTURAL HERITAGE IN LIBYA IMPACTED
BY THE 2023 FLOODS
Operators: Iconem and University of G.
d’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara
MOSUL
FOCUS ON MOSUL
91 Dr. Laith Husein, Head of the Department of Archaeology, College of Arts, University of Baghdad, Member of the ALIPH Scientific Committee
92 Rehabilitating the Mosul Museum and Its Collection
96 Restoring the Tutunji House
100 Restoring the Al Masfi Mosque
104 Emergency Protection of the Monumental Lamassu Sculpture
108 Ms. Violaine de Montclos, Special Correspondent to Le Point – When Iraq Recovers Its Memory
DR. LAITH M. HUSSEIN
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY, COLLEGE OF ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF BAGHDAD
MEMBER
OF the ALIPH SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
It is with immense pride and honor that we celebrate this pivotal moment in our partnership with an esteemed organization committed to protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones. Today, we tackle the aftermath of the crisis sparked by Daesh terrorism, focusing on the restoration and rebuilding of crucial heritage sites in Mosul with support from ALIPH. This initiative covers key landmarks such as the Al Masfi Mosque, the Tutunji House, and the winged Assyrian deity in Khorsabad.
The journey began with detailed surveys, planning, and strategizing for the reconstruction. These initial steps paved the way for the restoration of damaged sites and the rebuilding of adjacent structures, all while preserving their historic integrity. Despite the challenges caused by Daesh, we crafted plans for the careful restoration of select heritage sites, based on their cultural significance. This was complemented by ALIPH-funded activities such as exhibitions, seminars, and youth programs offering vocational training, job opportunities, and support in various sectors.
We wholeheartedly endorse these meticulous efforts to achieve this restoration and maintain the highest professional standards. This partnership offers a historic chance to reawaken Iraqi heritage, notably
through the revival of the Mosul Museum, and to protect a vision of culture and civilization that aims for a sustainable development in the future. Our joint efforts signal a staunch support for peace over the forces of destruction and terrorism.
Fostering cooperation among nations to exchange knowledge and harness modern technology in the preservation of cultural heritage has been an essential component of this collaboration.
In closing, we honor all the noble endeavors that champion the cause of civilization and historical richness, extending our deepest gratitude to ALIPH for its unwavering support for Iraq, a nation deeply marked by the scars of war.
Protecting Mosul’s cultural heritage has been one of ALIPH’s priorities since its founding in 2017. In 2019, ALIPH launched its “Mosul Mosaic” program to rehabilitate the Mosul Museum, religious buildings, and several sites and monuments, contributing to the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative led by UNESCO and the Iraqi government.
Herewith, a focus on some of those projects!
Rehabiliating the Mosul Museum and Its Collection
Operators: Musée du Louvre, Smithsonian Institution, World Monuments Fund, in cooperation with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) and the Mosul Museum
The Mosul Museum, built in 1952, is the second largest in Iraq after the National Museum in Baghdad. The museum’s important collection offered a complete overview of the region’s history, from prehistory to the Islamic period. In 2003, the museum was forced to close following the outbreak of war, and part of its collection was evacuated to Baghdad. The monumental sculptures that could not be evacuated were vandalized by Daesh in 2014, and 28,000 rare books and manuscripts were burned. The destruction of masterpieces—including the colossal lion of Nimrud, two monumental figures of lamassu (Assyrian guardians adorning the gates of the ancient palace), and the throne base of King Ashurnasirpal II—was staged in a highly publicized video.
FOCUS ON MOSUL
Since 2018, the museum has gradually been brought back to life thanks to the unwavering commitment of its staff and a unique consortium of Iraqi and international partners: the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), the Mosul Museum, the Musée du Louvre, the Smithsonian Institution, World Monuments Fund, and ALIPH.
In the first stage of work, the roof of the building that had been mined with explosive devices was stabilized and secured. The Musée du Louvre also began training staff at the Mosul Museum on conservation practices for damaged artifacts, which continued as remote training in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reconstructing the colossal lamassu represents a unique challenge. Daesh used powerful explosives and hammers to reduce the artifact to rubble, and museum workers had to sort, clean, and document the fragments before Iraqi and French professionals could begin their meticulous restoration work. At the same time, World Monuments Fund, which joined the consortium in 2020, is carrying out the museum’s architectural renovation project. At the beginning of the project, the Smithsonian Institution focused on stabilization work, and now they are helping to strengthen the capacity of the museum team.
In May 2023, during the launch of the final rehabilitation phase for this project, a major press conference held in the very heart of the museum celebrated the inauguration of the first exhibition: “The Mosul Cultural Museum: From Destruction to Rehabilitation.”
This is ALIPH’s biggest and most ambitious project since the Foundation was created. Indeed, ALIPH’s involvement has been much more than a funder. Since 2018, ALIPH has been supporting all partners at every stage, uniting them under the common vision of reopening the museum by 2026.
Restoring the Tutunji House
FOCUS ON MOSUL
Operators: University of Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) and the University of Mosul
Built between 1808 and 1817 in the late Ottoman period, the Tutunji House is a remarkable example of a patrician house built around a central courtyard, lavishly decorated with marble bas-reliefs. It is a symbol of Mosul’s past as a flourishing center of international trade. Used by Daesh as an explosives factory during the occupation of the city, it was almost completely destroyed between 2014 and 2017.
The University of Pennsylvania, in close collaboration with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) and the University of Mosul, undertook the restoration of this celebrated house. In addition to structural works, the operators built a stone carving workshop to produce slabs of Mosul marble and support the preservation of this traditional craft. The project employed local residents and generated significant local economic activity. The restored building was inaugurated on 7 March 2024: now the Tutunji house will host a museum dedicated to the city as well as concerts organized by the SBAH and the offices of a local youth association.
Restoring the Al Masfi Mosque
FOCUS ON MOSUL
Operators: La Guilde Européenne du Raid, in cooperation with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), Sunni Waqf, Institut National du Patrimoine (France), and Ecole de Chaillot (France)
The Al Masfi Mosque, also known as the Umayyad Mosque, stands on the site of Mosul’s oldest mosque, presumably built in 638 CE. It was heavily damaged during the occupation of Mosul by Daesh.
Despite being reduced to rubble, the mosque remained in use and as a crucial place of social cohesion for the residents of the Old City of Mosul. The project cleared the site of mines and restored the building, while providing on-the-job training and employment opportunities for the local population.
The restoration of the Al Masfi Mosque was led by the NGO La Guilde Européenne du Raid, in close collaboration with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), the Sunni Waqf, the Institut National du Patrimoine, and the Ecole de Chaillot (France). Inaugurated on 7 March 2024, the mosque is once again welcoming the community.
Emergency Protection of the Monumental Lamassu Sculpture
Operators: French Archaeological Mission in Khorsabad, in cooperation with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH)
Lamassu are androcephalous winged bull sculptures typically placed as protective guardians at entrances to Assyrian palaces over 2,700 years ago. When Daesh occupied the region, they targeted and vandalized these sculptures. One of the lamassu escaped the destruction. The sumptuously sculpted monolith, weighing 18 tons and dating from the late 8th century BCE, was buried by villagers to protect it from Daesh attacks. The missing head of this lamassu was cut off by looters in the 1990s and later recovered by Iraqi customs officials—it is now on display at the National Museum of Baghdad.
In October 2023, the French Archaeological Mission unearthed this last lamassu at the archaeological site of Khorsabad. Highly exposed and vulnerable to potential looting, the lamassu required urgent protection as a precautionary measure. ALIPH supported the construction of a protective canopy and the installation of security fencing.
WHEN IRAQ RECOVERS ITS MEMORY
MS. VIOLAINE DE MONTCLOS
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT to LE POINT
Article published in the magazine Le Point on 25 May 2023
First aid. Hatra, a city built in the middle of the desert steppe during the first three centuries AD, was used as a training camp by Islamic State fighters. It is now classified as a “World Heritage in Danger” site by UNESCO.
The ALIPH Foundation contributes to the restoration of Iraqi heritage. Mosques, churches, historic houses...
This hundred-year-old house, typical of old Mosul, served as a hospital during the years of the Daesh occupation. After the fall of the Islamic State, when young Saker Al Zakaria and the Bytna association took over the premises to showcase the history of his town, the walls emitted the smell of death for months. Saker, his brother Mohammed, and their friends laid out tables, carpets, a stage for concerts, a bar on the mezzanine, and — most importantly — they collected a wealth of objects and photos telling the history of Mosul before the terror. Then, they waited.
“We wanted to evoke our writers, our artists, show everyday objects and costumes from the past,” says Saker. “At first, for almost a year, no one dared to come. But we kept at it, and eventually people came through the door. Here, young people are discovering a Mosul they’ve never known, and older people are rediscovering the spirit of their city.”
At Bytna, Saker and his friends have preserved the impact of a rocket blast and protected it under glass for posterity. We are just a few meters from the Al-Nouri Mosque, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself caliph in 2014. This emblematic Mosul Mosque was dynamited by Daesh in 2017 as the group fled the city. With its gutted houses, torn-off roofs, and countless piles of rubble, the district seems frozen in the days of the bombings. But Bytna—Arabic for “our house”—is determined to bring back a different memory.
Nearly six years after its liberation, Mosul—the thousand-year-old, multicultural city, capital of the province of Nineveh, which for three years was the capital of the Islamic State—remains disfigured. But on every street corner, people are repairing and restoring what they can, groping around for their memories, their roots, their landmarks... Saker clearly remembers the “lamassu” in the Mosul Museum, which he went to see as a child with his class.
Loss. The destroyed Al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, without its iconic leaning minaret.
FOCUS ON MOSUL
Before this bespoke 1950s-era building closed in 2003 at the start of the second Gulf War, generations of Mosul children were struck by the smile of these winged lion statues with benevolent powers that protected the entrances to Assyrian palaces and temples. Daesh pulverized them along with other major sculptures in the museum—a monumental lion, a stele, and the base of a throne dating back to the 9th century BC—bent on making their restoration impossible. Now, under the scientific direction of the Louvre Museum, conservator Daniel Ibled and his Franco-Iraqi team are defying Daesh’s intentions by piecing together this stone puzzle with infinite patience and tenacity. “There are tens of thousands of fragments of all sizes, from several works, so it’s a 3D jigsaw puzzle whose pieces are all jumbled together and that is all the more difficult to solve because after blowing them up the jihadists smashed any recognizable pieces with jackhammers,” sighs Daniel Ibled. “But we’ll get there.” It took just a few days to destroy them, and it will take years to restore these moving testimonies to Mesopotamia’s past, but it’s clear that in this insane gamble by the Louvre and the Iraqi Department of Antiquities, something essential is at stake—a victory for history over the paranoid amnesia that had tried to take over this part of the world.
There are tens of thousands of fragments of all sizes, from several works, so it’s a 3D jigsaw puzzle whose pieces are all jumbled together and that is all the more difficult to solve because after blowing them up the jihadists smashed any recognizable pieces with jackhammers.
Renaissance. Artefacts and marble plaques in the Al-Tahira church.
Daniel Ibled Conservator
Amnesia. The restoration of the Mosul Museum—its artifacts and the building itself—is being entirely financed by ALIPH (International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas), a foundation set up by France and the United Arab Emirates in 2017 which, alongside UNESCO, is the second international donor working in Iraq to restore heritage. “ALIPH was born in the wake of the destruction committed and publicized by Daesh, so this museum and all the restorations we’re funding in the Nineveh Plain are at the very heart of our mission,” says its Executive Director, Valéry Freland. “Of the 180 projects we run worldwide, 40 are in Iraq.” Mosques, churches, monasteries, Mosulite houses, Yazidi temples—ALIPH is working on all fronts here, overcoming immense difficulties. They have to circumvent the endemic corruption besieging the country, work with multiple international operators, and, above all, work with the Iraqis to answer delicate questions posed by heritage restoration in such a troubled area.
Should scars be left on these columns, these bell towers, these statues, these shrines, to remind generations to come of Daesh’s ferocity? And since the value of an architectural heritage is inextricably linked to its use by the local population, how can anyone be sure that, despite corruption and community tensions, the people of Mosul will reclaim these buildings that have been rebuilt for them? Countless churches are being restored, but will the Christians return, those who were known here as “kafir” (non-believers) long before Daesh came, and who fled en masse following their persecution? “Between 50 and 60 Christian families have already returned to Mosul,” rejoices Monsignor Najeeb Michaeel, who hopes that the restoration of the Chaldean AlTahira Church will encourage others to do the same. “I’m not trying to convince them, but to rebuild this cathedral is to give them a sign,” hopes the archbishop, whose predecessor, Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, was assassinated in 2008 by Al-Qaeda.
Puzzle. Conservator Daniel Ibled at the Mosul Museum.
35,000 explosives. Located close to the banks of the Tigris, Al-Tahira is a Christian pilgrimage site but has also long been a symbol for all the other Mosul communities—Jewish, Muslim and Yazidi—since the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared here in 1743 to protect Mosul from Persian invasion. The jihadists smashed the sculptures and tore off pieces of marble in the hope of reselling them. The dome collapsed, and one of the façades is still largely gutted. Before the work could begin, the site also had to be cleared of mines, a challenge that the American company Tetra Tech took on voluntarily at all the sites whose restoration ALIPH supported. Since May 2022, Tetra Tech has already defused over 35,000 explosive devices hidden in the rubble of buildings in Mosul’s Old City, and there is much more to be done...
In the ruins of the huge Mar Thoma Syriac-Orthodox Church, said to have been built where Saint Thomas the Apostle once stayed on his way to India, it is still only possible to move around in areas delimited by mine-clearing teams: the clean-up began last February and is not yet complete. In this church, which is the oldest in Mosul, regular masses were still held until the early 2000s, and the Syriac-Orthodox school welcomed young Muslims, who made up over half its pupils. “Mar Thoma bears witness to a time when communities lived side by side in relative peace,” explains Luc Boureau, who works for l’Œuvre d’Orient in Iraq. “Whether or not Christians come back, rebuilding it is fundamental...”
Most of the young Iraqi workers, archaeologists, and conservators who train and work with international teams financed by ALIPH or
Future. Will the people of Mosul reclaim their thousandyear-old city?
UNESCO have never known this time of peaceful multiculturalism. Nor the time before the embargo, before the Gulf wars, before the Islamic State, when Iraq, the cradle of ancient Mesopotamian civilization, was one of the Middle East’s top tourist destinations. As for Adib Fateh Ali, he’s old enough to remember discovering the spectacular site of the ancient city of Hatra as a child.
Captivated by the arches, temples, and gilded stone buildings in the middle of the desert, 110 kilometers southwest of Mosul, the young Iraqi boy would later devote an awestruck thesis to them during his architectural studies in Italy. He is now responsible for the logistics and organization of this site, which Daesh had transformed into a training camp. “I’ve never been able to forget the wonder of my childhood,” he says with a smile. Today, to reach this ultra-secure, thousand-year-old city, which, it’s hard to believe, was once a peaceful place for families to roam, you have to put up with being stopped at every turn and inspected by Shiite militias.
In this region very near the Syrian border, where some retreating jihadists are suspected to have taken refuge, it is these militias— not always easy to distinguish from the also-present Iraqi army — who maintain security. “Many Daesh fighters, especially those from abroad, took refuge in the Hatra compound, because they knew that the UNESCO-protected site would never be bombed by the coalition,” explains Adib Fateh Ali.
Soul. UNESCO is leading the titanic project to restore Our Lady of the Hour, or Al-Saa’a, whose bell tower is a symbol visible throughout Mosul.
Here, Dominican friar Olivier Poquillon observes work on the roof of the house of prayer, which is to be transformed into a cultural and educational center for the people of Mosul.
FOCUS ON MOSUL
Built during the first three centuries AD, this immense fortified city, whose impressive sanctuary and numerous temples still stand, was allied with the Parthian Empire. An important caravan center at the crossroads of the Mesopotamian, Mediterranean, and Anatolian worlds, then a gathering place for Arab tribes who went there to worship a sun god, its buildings, covered with inscriptions in Aramaic, have many mysteries yet to be revealed. “95% of the site has not yet been excavated,” explains Italian archaeologist Massimo Vidale, who, with his ALIPH-funded team, are first responding to the urgent need to diagnose the damage and secure the site’s architecture. Poorly restored and badly maintained under Saddam Hussein, and virtually abandoned since the embargo, Hatra was dealt a final blow by Daesh and is now classified by UNESCO as a “World Heritage in Danger” site. Massimo shows the mountains of shell casings found throughout the compound and points to a set of columns, thousands of years old, riddled with bullet holes.
The jihadists practiced shooting here, made explosives, and built car bombs. They also filmed themselves destroying the large masks that stood majestically at the entrance to the temples. Massimo and his team soon found several fragments and, amidst the applause of the Iraqis present, carefully replaced them.
I’ve never been able to forget the wonder of my childhood.
Scars. Adib Fateh Ali, in Hatra, in front of a thousand-year-old building that was used as a shooting target.
Adib Fateh Ali Head of logistics in Hatra
Hidden statues. Further on, Ali points out the stones, sealed at the time of the great restoration projects and signed with Saddam Hussein’s initials, untouched by Daesh fighters out of respect for the Iraqi leader. Then he takes us into the coolness of a small room that reveals the distressing spectacle of mutilated statues. These kings and gods of Hatra, delicately sculpted in the first centuries AD, were on display when the site was still a tourist destination. But at the time of the embargo, fearing looting, the Iraqis saw fit to conceal them by walling up the room: these refined figures therefore remained there, hidden from vandals, for many years. Unfortunately, Daesh discovered them, and they now lie in the dust, arms and torsos broken, faces partly disfigured, mute witnesses of barbarity who seem to challenge the team of archaeologists with their astonishingly lifelike stone gaze. ALIPH has just financed a third conservation plan for the site, which includes, among other things, an inventory of the vandalized works. The fight for memory in this region has only just begun...
Co-operation. Mossaab Mohamad Jassem, coordinator of the Tutunji House project, and Valéry Freland, Executive Director of ALIPH, the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas. ALIPH has already released $30 million to finance 40 restoration projects in Iraq, including a dozen in Mosul.
Healed. Tutunji House (1808), in Mosul, has been almost entirely restored.
FOCUS
FOCUS ON YEMEN
121 Dr. Elke Selter, Director of Programs
122 Protecting the Unique Heritage of the City of Shibam
124 Restoring the Al Qu’aiti Palace
126 Restoring the Taiz National Museum Complex
128 Safeguarding the Heritage of Old Sana’a
130 Stabilizing the ‘Alha Mosque on the Island of Socotra
FOCUS ON YEMEN
Dr. Elke Selter Director of Programs
Protecting Yemen’s unique architectural heritage and historical urban centers has been a priority for ALIPH since 2019, when the first projects for safeguarding Yemeni heritage were approved. This heritage has suffered not only from conflict and the impact of climate change but also sometimes from urgent restoration work that has led to haphazard reconstruction of heritage buildings. This combination of factors has accelerated the deterioration of Yemen’s historical environment.
As a result, ALIPH significantly scaled up its engagement in the country in 2023 through a Call for Projects exclusively dedicated to the safeguarding of Yemen’s heritage. Through this Call, ALIPH added seven projects to its portfolio in Yemen, most of which work in close cooperation with local Yemeni organizations. Thanks to this effort, by the end of 2023, ALIPH was supporting 23 projects in the country, 7 of which were already completed, for a total commitment of USD 12.2 million.
Today, projects supported by ALIPH can be found in the historical cities of Sana’a, Shibam (in Hadramout), and Zabid (in Hodeidah)—considered to be among the main examples of ancient urban civilizations and recognized as World Heritage Sites—as well as in Socotra, Taiz, and Aden. Among the newly adopted projects are the restoration of the centuries-old Al Qishla fort in Kawkaban near Sana’a and the restoration of three large public buildings in Shibam, including one palace that will be turned into an ethnographic museum. ALIPH is also supporting the documentation and emergency stabilization of archives and libraries in Tarim, Say’un, and Aden.
ALIPH’s key partners in Yemen are the General Organisation for the Preservation of the Historic Cities of Yemen (GOPHCY) and the General Organization for Antiquities and Museums (GOAM). All the projects ALIPH supports in Yemen are done hand-in-hand with these two organizations as well as implementing partners representing Yemeni and international organizations. Together, these projects contribute to safeguarding the country’s manifold forms of heritage while also increasing local knowledge and expertise.
HADRAMOUT REGION
Protecting the Unique Heritage of the City of Shibam
OPERATORS:
ARAB REGIONAL CENTRE FOR WORLD HERITAGE (ARC-WH), PETRA NATIONAL TRUST, HERITAGE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION, ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF MAN, AND ASSOCIATION FOR TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFTS IN SHIBAM, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION FOR PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC CITIES OF YEMEN (GOPHCY)
The city of Shibam is known for its fortified walls and the tower-like constructions rising from its cliffs, many dating to the 16th century. Located along the Southern Arabian spice route, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
Since 2021, ALIPH has supported five projects in this city to both restore its built heritage and foster the transmission of traditional knowledge. Two of these projects were implemented by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), based in Bahrain, to repair 18 historical buildings and 60 shops in the central market. A third project implemented by the Petra National Trust focused on training Yemeni heritage experts to safeguard heritage sites from looting and vandalism.
In another project, the Heritage Management Organization, in partnership with the Association for the Study of Man, will restore three large state-owned buildings—the North Palace, the South Palace, and the Civic Complex Building—as well as about 63 residential buildings. Finally, the Association for Traditional Handicrafts in Shibam is restoring traditional urban and architectural elements of the city.
HADRAMOUT REGION
Restoring the Al Qu’aiti Palace
OPERATORS:
DAW’AN MUD BRICK ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GOVERNORATE OF HADRAMOUT
The 19th-century Al Qu’aiti Palace is the former seat of the ruler of the Sultanate of Qu’aiti. It is one of the main cultural sites of the area, located 23 kilometers from Shibam. The five-floor palace, constructed of sun-dried mud bricks, faced significant damage from seasonal flooding and rains, leading to gradual deterioration and collapse of the ceilings. Moreover, during the conflict in Hadramout from 2015 to 2017, the site experienced multiple instances of looting and destruction.
A project implemented by Daw’an Mud Brick Architecture Foundation and supported by ALIPH is restoring this historical building. Following the first phase of emergency stabilization of the structure, a site survey identified the necessary interventions for comprehensive restoration. These works, currently underway, will allow the palace to host community and cultural activities.
Restoring the Taiz National Museum Complex
OPERATORS:
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND (WMF), IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION FOR ANTIQUITIES AND MUSEUMS (GOAM)
The Al-Badr and Imam palaces are excellent examples of Ottoman-era buildings and part of the Taiz National Museum complex. The ancient city of Taiz, once the cultural capital of Yemen, suffered major damage during the civil war. The building was completely burned and had partially collapsed, and a significant part of the museum’s collection of 45,000 artifacts was looted. Only 15,000 artifacts survived under the rubble.
To safeguard this heritage, ALIPH has supported the restoration of the monument and its collection implemented by World Monuments Fund. Along with restoring the building, the project’s objectives are to recover the missing artifacts, create a new museography, and provide training for the Yemini staff in conservation and restoration techniques.
OPERATORS:
DAR SAHEP FOR ENGINEERING, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION FOR PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC CITIES OF YEMEN (GOPHCY) AND THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION FOR ANTIQUITIES AND MUSEUMS (GOAM)
One of the oldest cities in the world, Sana’a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. Sana’a became a major center for the spread of the Islamic faith in the 7th and 8th centuries. Its urban landscape is recognizable for its multi-storied tower-houses of rammed earth decorated in geometric designs made of fired brick and white gypsum. Since 2011, the architectural heritage of Sana’a has been threatened by neglect, civil unrest, vandalism, armed conflict, and, more recently, the impact of climate change.
ALIPH is supporting documentation, urgent stabilization, and restoration of two traditional tower-houses in the Old City. These historical houses partially collapsed following conflict and torrential flooding linked to climate change and required urgent interventions.
SOCOTRA ISLAND
Stabilizing the ‘Alha Mosque
OPERATORS:
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND (WMF), IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION FOR ANTIQUITIES AND MUSEUMS (GOAM)
The first known mention of the ‘Alha Mosque dates from 1830. This mosque—a World Heritage Site—is one of the rare standing monuments in Socotra, an island known for its natural heritage. Heavily damaged by cyclones and heavy storms, the site was stabilized by an emergency project supported by ALIPH and implemented by World Monuments Fund. The project involved documenting and assessing the damage and then undertaking urgent conservation measures so that a full rehabilitation project can be launched in the future.
ALIPH AND CLIMATE
AND CLIMATE CHANGE
135 Dr. Bastien Varoutsikos, Director of Strategy
DR. BASTIEN VAROUTSIKOS DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
The ALIPH Foundation is broadening its scope of action to include the protection of cultural heritage endangered by climate change as a response to emerging new challenges in our field. Climate change is already directly contributing to the destruction of tangible and intangible heritage around the world (as seen, for example, in increasingly sudden and violent floods that have damaged the historic town of Agadez in Niger). However, cultural heritage can also provide inspiration and offer traditional solutions to enable communities to better adapt to these changes.
Following a proposal by the ALIPH Foundation Board in March 2023 that was approved in November of the same year, the new ALIPH strategy takes a comprehensive approach to the issues presented by climate change. It has set two objectives. The first is to place culture and cultural heritage at the forefront of international discussions on climate change. The second is to launch a comprehensive program to protect endangered tangible and intangible heritage in vulnerable countries. This second objective is supported by a program of applied research, documentation of traditional practices, training of young experts, and conservation projects for heritage sites threatened by climate change.
To prepare for the launch of its program on climate change, ALIPH supported several initiatives in 2023 that focused particularly on the strategy’s first objective. With the support of the United Arab Emirates and the Climate Heritage Network, the Foundation was directly involved in the creation of an inter-ministerial meeting on the role of culture in climate action at COP28 in Dubai. This meeting brought together more than 30 countries that committed to working toward an international consensus on the need to integrate cultural issues into climate discussions and decisions. COP28 concluded with the creation of a “group of friends of culture for climate action”—a coalition of countries, along with civil society representatives such as ALIPH, committed to supporting this program for COP29 and COP30, in Baku (Azerbaijan) and Belém (Brazil) respectively.
In 2024, ALIPH’s efforts in support of international advocacy will be complemented through the funding of initiatives that fall under the strategy’s second objective. This includes implementing research, training, and conservation projects that directly contribute to the fight against the impact of climate change on heritage around the globe.
ALIPH ON THE
STAGE
Dr. Sandra Bialystok Director of Communications and Partnerships
The ALIPH Forum was a long time in the making. The vision was to hold a congress, or a summit, in Abu Dhabi—the city where the international community had come together in December 2016 to declare that endangered cultural heritage would not be left by the wayside and that its protection should be placed firmly on the global agenda. Like ALIPH itself, this new summit was to be about action and results. It was to assemble practitioners and policy makers, architects and archaeologists, and people from all regions to promote an honest exchange about what was being done and where help was needed. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and planning froze.
The period during the pandemic was of course a very difficult time for all. Despite everything, as the world started to open up again, ALIPH begin to grow: the Foundation’s capital was replenished thanks to the Second Donors’ Conference (Paris, January 2022); between 2019 and 2023, the Secretariat’s staff doubled to 16; and the number of projects the Foundation supported grew exponentially. With this came new partners, new champions of ALIPH’s work, and, perhaps above all, a solid reputation for getting things done. On the communications side, ALIPH’s brand also took shape, always with the goal of highlighting concrete projects and people who bring them to life and live alongside those sites. And thanks to committed staff, project partners, and collaborators, we had beautiful images, videos, and publications to illustrate the stories.
So, when it came time to organize the Forum (again!), all the elements were in place. With our steadfast partners at the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) of Abu Dhabi, we had an exceptional venue and hospitable on-site support. And now we had the network and knowledge to build a program that would appeal to the over 200 participants traveling to the United Arab Emirates from about 40 countries. So that for those two days in March at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, it felt like we had been given the opportunity to organize a beautiful family reunion. As pictures from the Forum in this 2023 Report show, old friends found each other after a long absence and new connections were made. And like at a family party, people were encouraged to discuss, debate, and maybe even argue and make up.
Of course, the Forum only marked the beginning of 2023. In May, a press conference for international and national media was held at the Mosul Museum in Iraq, organized with the Mosul Museum, the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) of Iraq, World Monuments Fund, the musée du Louvre, the Smithsonian, and ALIPH to announce the museum’s re-opening in 2026 and a new museography. In June, at the Musée du Louvre, the incoming Chair of the ALIPH Foundation Board, Bariza Khiari, and Executive Director Valéry Freland stood alongside the French and Ukrainian Ministers of Culture and the directors of the Louvre and Khanenko (Kyiv) museums to open an exhibit of extraordinary icons that had been transferred with the utmost confidentiality from Kyiv to Paris with ALIPH’s support. Three months later, Valéry Freland and ALIPH staff traveled to Ukraine, meeting with authorities, professionals, and local and international press.
In parallel to these events, our photo exhibition on preserving cultural heritage in Ukraine traveled from Bern to Kyiv and from Brussels to New York. There, at Columbia University, ALIPH presented the exhibition as part of a joint colloquium with the Zuckerman Institute on Mind, Brain and Behavior with the theme “Building memories in Ukraine: at the intersection of neuroscience, cultural heritage, and crises.” Alongside pre-eminent neuroscientists who research how memories are formed was Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, former ALIPH Foundation Board Chair, and Dr. Yuliya Vaganova, Director of the Khanenko Museum, who both spoke to the essential role cultural heritage plays in forming our identities, memories, and history.
Throughout this year, rich in events and accomplishments, our partners—be they operators on the ground, photographers, graphic designers, or journalists—were unparalleled in their commitment to showcasing our action. As we pursue our exigent mission to support cultural heritage preservation to build peace, it is incredibly reassuring to know that these partners also have our backs.
Aliph
the
FAMILY ALIPH
Foundation Board
AS OF 31 MAY 2024
Voting Members
Chair
Vice-Chair
HE
Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan (Private Donor)
Ms. Bariza Khiari (France)
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak (United Arab Emirates)
HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)
HE Nadia Ernzer (Luxembourg)
Dr. Mariët Westermann (Qualified Personality)
Mr. Mehdi Qotbi (Morocco)
Ms. Eleni Apeyitou (Cyprus)
Mr. Wen Dayan (China)
Mr. Jean Claude Gandur (Private Donor)
Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Fleming (Private Donor – Getty)
Dr. Richard Kurin (Qualified Personality)
Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert (Qualified Personality)
Non-Voting Members
Prof. Marc-André Renold (Switzerland)
Mr. Ernesto Ottone Ramírez (UNESCO)
Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki (Chair of the Scientific Committee, ad interim)
Mr. Valéry Freland (Executive Director)
Dr. Jeffrey D. Plunkett, JD (Chair of the Audit Committee)
ALIPH
Ethics, Governance, and Remuneration Committee
Finance and Development Committee
Chair, Mr. Jean Claude Gandur (Switzerland)
Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert (Germany)
Prof. Marc-André Renold (Switzerland)
Chair, Dr. Richard Kurin (United States)
HE Saood Al-Hosani (United Arab Emirates)
Ms. Irene Braam (United States)
Ms. Deborah Stolk (Netherlands)
Scientific Committee
Chair (ad interim), Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki (Algeria)
Dr. Abdullah Alzahrani (Saudi Arabia)
Ms. Amel Chabbi (United Arab Emirates)
Mr. Gao Zheng (China)
Dr. Laith Hussein (Iraq)
Dr. Patrick Michel (Switzerland)
Prof. Claudio Parisi Presicce (Italy)
Prof. Eleanor Robson (United Kingdom)
Dr. Samuel Sidibe (Mali)
Dr. Bahija Simou (Morocco)
Audit Committee
Chair, Dr. Jeffrey D. Plunkett, JD (United States)
Mr. Pierre-Henri Pingeon (Switzerland)
Mr. Abderrazak Zouari (Tunisia)
Secretariat
AS OF 31 MAI 2024
Mr. Valéry Freland, Executive Director
Dr. Sandra Bialystok, Director of Communications and Partnerships
Mr. Laurent Oster, Director of Finance and Operations
Dr. Elke Selter, Director of Programs
Dr. Bastien Varoutsikos, Director of Strategy
Mr. Waseem Albahri, Project Manager
Ms. Gala-Alexa Amagat, Project Manager
Ms. Bates Assilbekova, Communications and Partnerships Officer
Mr. Othman Boucetta, Chief of Staff
Mr. Ivan Dautriche, Grant Finance Officer
Mr. Adonis El Hussein, Project Manager
Ms. Alexandra Fiebig, Project Manager
Ms. Maria Gurova, Communications and Partnerships Officer
Ms. Sarah Hugounenq, Public Relations Officer
Ms. Olena Kokliagina, Ukraine Grant Officer
Ms. Marion Maadoune, Grant Finance Officer
Ms. Solange Mackoubily, Administrative and Accounting Assistant
Mr. David Sassine, Project Manager
Mr. Harry Tarpey, Strategic Partnerships Officer
Ms. Elsa Urtizverea, Project Manager
Ms. Daryna Zhyvohliadova, Consultant
Ms. Emma Gulessian, Intern
ALIPH
Our ethics
ALIPH’s work is guided by the following fundamental values:
• the protection of heritage
• cultural and religious diversity
• education and capacity building
• gender equality
• social cohesion and peaceful coexistence
• sustainable local development
• peace and reconciliation
• international solidarity
Ethics and financing
ALIPH takes its responsibility to fund concrete and sustainable projects seriously and the Foundation is committed to integrity and transparency in all financial matters. For these reasons, prior to receiving a contract, all potential grantees are subject to a financial due diligence process carried out by the Foundation. During the implementation of the project, grantees are required to submit regular financial and activity reports.
JOIN the ALIPH FAMILY
Seven years since ALIPH’s founding, the rationale for its creation has been confirmed. The issue of heritage protection is becoming increasingly pertinent on the international stage— exemplified, in recent years, by the widespread conflict-related destruction seen around the world. Consequently, the demand is growing for financing to prevent damage, intervene in the midst of a crisis, and rehabilitate damaged heritage. Further, the international community needs capable actors, able to obtain the backing of public and private donors and maintain the agility necessary for quick and flexible interventions in conflict contexts, all while maintaining financial rigor and sound management.
This is what ALIPH has been working towards since its creation in 2017. In just a few years, ALIPH has established itself as a key player in protecting heritage in times of crisis, inspired by its motto: Action, Action, Action. The work ALIPH has accomplished—in Beirut after the explosion of 2020, in Ukraine since March 2022, and also more recently in Syria and Morocco after the earthquakes of 2023 and in Libya after the floods of September 2023—bears witness to this. Safeguarding heritage is not just about protecting stones: it is also a means of contributing to the sustainable economic and social development of regions, to creating dialogue between communities, and to building peace in regions once torn apart by conflict.
Thanks to the commitments made by its members, both public and private, at the 2nd Donors’ Conference in Paris in January 2022, and thanks to its new supporters, ALIPH was able to continue its critical mission in 2023. But heritage protection in zones in crisis is, sadly, a “growth market.” We are receiving more grant applications than ever before, and this trend is likely to continue as we face the intensifying impacts of climate change.
If, as an individual, foundation, company, international institution, or government agency, you are interested in heritage protection and would like to support our work, collaborate with us, or learn more about our projects around the world, please contact us at
harry.tarpey@aliph-foundation.org or +41 22 795 18 27.
Thank you to our donors
Since 2017, ALIPH has been able to carry out its work thanks to the support of:
Member states:
France | United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Kuwait | Luxembourg | China | Morocco | Cyprus
Private donor members: Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan | J. Paul Getty Trust | Fondation Gandur pour l’Art
Host country: Switzerland
Non-member donors:
European Union | Oman | Romania | Principality of Monaco | Ministry of Culture of the United Arab Emirates | U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation | TotalEnergies Foundation | Andrew W. Mellon Foundation | Lionel Sauvage Family Foundation
New donors in 2023: Ministry of Culture of the United Arab Emirates Cyprus
U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation
ALIPH
Colophon
Editors: Sandra Bialystok, Valéry Freland, Bates Assilbekova, Sarah Hugounenq, Emma Gulessian
Graphic design: EyeTalk Communication – www.eyetalkcomms.com
Photos: ALIPH would like to thank all its partners for providing photos of their projects. None of these photos may be reused, copied, or distributed without the express permission of the copyright owner. The following photos have been reprinted with the permission of these independent photographers and ALIPH grantees:
Cover page — © ALIPH – Adonis El Hussein
Inside cover — © ALIPH – Thomas Raguet
Pages 4–5:
© Nadia’s Initiative, © AKTC, © AMALIA,
© ALIPH – Sandra Bialystok,
© Getty Images, © NRCC, © IECD, © Vidrio Museum,
© American University of Beirut Archeological Museum, © ALIPH – Azhar Al-Rubaie
Page 6 — © ALIPH – Thomas Raguet
Page 9 — © Iconem
Page 10 — © NRCC
Pages 12–13 — © Vincent Boisot
Pages 14–23 — © ALIPH
Pages 24–25:
© Michele Cattani, © King’s College London,
© The Palestinian Museum, © Durham University,
© Bokart Glass, © Museum for Change,
© ALIPH – Thomas Raguet,
© ALIPH – Alexandra Fiebig,
© ALIPH – Sandra Bialystok, © NRCC
Page 26 — © Azhar Al–Rubaie
Pages 28–29 — © The Palestinian Museum
Page 30 — © Yury Birukov
Pages 32–33:
© Nadia’s Initiative, © WMF, © Fondation nationale des Musées (Morocco), © The Palestinian Museum, © Turquoise Mountain, © Iconem, © ALIPH – Adonis El Hussein, © Monumenta Orientalia, © AKTC
Page 34 — © ALIPH – Thomas Raguet
Pages 36–37 — © Iconem
Pages 40–41 — © Vincent Boisot
Pages 42–43 — © Fondation nationale des Musées (Morocco)
Pages 44–47 — © INTO, © ALIPH – Alexandra Fiebig
Pages 48–51 — © Fares Althakhiera, © La Guilde
Page 52 — © Vincent Boisot
Page 53 — © Sandra Bialystok
Page 55 — © IECD
Pages 56–59 — © Œuvre d’Orient
© ALIPH – David Sassine
Pages 60–63 — © King’s College London
Pages 64–65:
© Vincent Boisot,
© ALIPH – Thomas Raguet,
© Vladimir Melnik,
© Da’wan Architecture Foundation,
© Iconem, © LiveloveBeirut, © Dinos Michail,
© NRCC, © The Palestinian Museum,
© ALIPH – Adonis El Hussein, © La Guilde, © ALIPH – Alexandra Fiebig
Page 66 — © ALIPH – Thomas Raguet
Pages 68–69 — © AKTC – Simon Norfolk
Pages 70–71 — © Iconem
Pages 72–73 — © ALIPH – Thomas Raguet
Pages 74–75 — © Museum for Change
Pages 76–77 — © WMF
Pages 78–79 — © Iconem
Pages 80–83:
© ALIPH – Adonis El Hussein
© Tomomi Fushiya
Pages 84–87 — © Iconem
Pages 88–99:
© WMF, © ALIPH – Sandra Bialystok, © Azhar Al–Rubaie, © University of Pennsylvania, © Archaïos
Page 90 — © Archaïos – Panida Pesonel
Pages 92–95 — © WMF
Pages 96–97 — © Azhar Al–Rubaie
Page 98–99 — © University of Pennsylvania
Pages 100–102 — © Azhar Al–Rubaie
Page 103 — © La Guilde”
Pages 104–107 — © Archaïos – Panida Pesonel
Pages 108–117 — © Vincent Boisot
Pages 118–119:
© CAORC, © Dinos Michail, © Monumenta Orientalia, © CEFAS, © Iconem, © Sanid Organization for Cultural Heritage, © Dmitry Chulov, © WMF, ©ARC–WH, © Sergey Strelkov
Page 120 — © Da’wan Architecture Foundation
Page 122–123 — © ARC–WH
Pages 124–125 — © Da’wan Architecture Foundation
Pages 126–127 — © WMF
Pages 128–129 — © Monumenta Orientalia
Pages 130–131 — © WMF
Pages 132–133:
© ALIPH – Adonis El Hussein,
© Iconem, © Yury Birukov, © INTO, © Rashad Salim, © Azhar Al–Rubaie, © Monumenta Orientalia, © ALIPH – Valéry Freland
Page 134 — © Katja Tsvelkova
Pages 136–137:
© Eva Mont, © IECD, © Azhar Al–Rubaie, © Da’wan Architecture Foundation, © ISMEO, © ALIPH – Alexandra Fiebig, © King’s College London, © Iconem, © INTO, © University of Pennsylvania
Page 138 — © ALIPH – Bates Assilbekova
Pages 140–141 — © NRCC
Pages 144–145: © ALIPH – Valéry Freland, © Livelovebeirut, © ALIPH – Alexandra Fiebig, © AKTC – Simon Norfolk, © ALIPH – Antoine Tardy, © Consultancy for Conservation and Development © Museum for Change, © Iconem, © Azhar Al–Rubaie, © University of Pennsylvania, © King’s College London
Page 147 — © University of Pennsylvania
Pages 148–149 — © INTO
Pages 150–153 — © ALIPH – Antoine Tardy
Page 154:
© ALIPH, © CRAterre, © LiveloveBeirut, © King’s College London, © Nadia’s Initiative, © Azhar Al–Rubaie, © Kristell Bernaud, © Turquoise Mountain
Page 156–157 — © INTO
Page 159 — Simon Norfolk - AKTC-A
