2023-2024 ICCROM-Sharjah Award: Celebrating Heritage Heroes

The ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management is back with its 2023-2024 cycle, bringing well-deserved recognition to innovative and impactful heritage conservation projects. This year’s shortlist, composed of 18 remarkable projects from 12 Arab countries, reflects the region’s dedication to preserving its rich cultural history. The award, which is held biennially, highlights the outstanding efforts of individuals, organizations, and communities working to protect cultural heritage. Let’s dive into the details of these impressive projects, each of which showcases a unique approach to conservation.

A Glimpse into the 2023-2024 Shortlist

The shortlist is a testament to the diversity of cultural heritage in the Arab region. From Bahrain to Yemen, these 18 projects span a wide range of initiatives focused on restoration, documentation, and adaptive reuse. Here’s a look at the projects that made the cut:

  1. Digital Documentation: A Tool for Decision-Making in Heritage Preservation (Bahrain)
  2. A Legacy of a Lexicon: The Conservation, Documentation, and Management of Ahmed Pasha Kamal’s Dictionary (Egypt)
  3. Restoration of 48 Statues of Ram-Headed Sphinxes at Karnak Temples (Egypt)
  4. Preserving Cinematic Cultural Heritage: Rehabilitation of Historic Cinemas, Film Posters, and Oral Traditions (Lebanon)
  5. MaLiCH Project: Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage (Libya)
  6. Conservation and Adaptive Reuse of Traditional Structures and Open Spaces at Misfat al-‘Abriyin (Oman)
  7. Sustainable Development and Community Support in the Hospitable Town of Al-Eizariya (Palestine)
  8. Restoring the Historic Qaisariyya Market in Gaza City (Palestine)
  9. Rehabilitation of Nassar Marqus Palace for Adaptive Reuse as a Tourist Lodge (Palestine)
  10. Restoration of Tawqan House: The Legacy of Qadri, Fadwa, and Ibrahim Tawqan (Palestine)
  11. The National Museum of Qatar (Qatar)
  12. Rehabilitation and Restoration of Ibrahim Palace in Al-Ahsa (Saudi Arabia)
  13. Traditional Building Apprenticeship: Building National Capacities in the Riyadh Region (Saudi Arabia)
  14. Restoration and Reinforcement of the Omari Mosque in Daraa (Syria)
  15. Venus Platform: Digitalization and Cultural Mediation at Ennejma Ezzahra Palace (Tunisia)
  16. Sharjah Rock Art Documentation: From Traditional to Digital (UAE)
  17. Library of Arts (UAE)
  18. Rescue Project for the Museum of Folk Heritage in Sana’a (Yemen)

Each of these projects is making significant strides in protecting cultural treasures, from historic buildings to digital initiatives, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the heritage of the Arab world.

Bridging Communities and Heritage

The shortlisted projects are not only about preserving the past; many focus on supporting local communities. For example, the conservation and adaptive reuse of structures in Oman’s Misfat al-‘Abriyin village demonstrates how heritage can boost local economies and tourism. Palestine’s initiatives, including the rehabilitation of Nassar Marqus Palace and the historic Qaisariyya market in Gaza, have similar goals, blending preservation with community support and economic sustainability.

Saudi Arabia’s “Traditional Building Apprenticeship” program is another standout, focusing on equipping local workers with the skills necessary to maintain urban heritage in the Riyadh region. These projects are proof that cultural preservation can have a direct, positive impact on people’s lives, beyond just saving historical sites.

Innovative Approaches to Heritage Conservation

Innovation is key in the conservation world, and several projects on the shortlist highlight how new technologies are being used to protect heritage. Tunisia’s “Venus Platform” is a perfect example, using digitalization to engage the public with the cultural assets of Ennejma Ezzahra Palace. Bahrain’s project takes a similar approach by leveraging digital tools for heritage decision-making, ensuring cultural sites are carefully documented for the future.

The project in Libya, MaLiCH (Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage), also shows innovation in action, tackling the country’s unique challenges in cultural heritage preservation by adopting strategic and forward-thinking management practices.

Looking Forward to the Awards Ceremony

As these 18 exceptional projects await the final decision, excitement builds for the awards ceremony in November. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the ICCROM-Sharjah Award will present a Grand Award for excellence in heritage conservation and two Honorary Awards for community engagement and innovation. Regardless of the outcome, each of these projects has already made a lasting contribution to preserving the cultural legacy of the Arab world.

The ICCROM-Sharjah Award continues to inspire future generations by showcasing the best in cultural heritage conservation. As the shortlisted projects demonstrate, protecting our heritage is about more than just preserving the past—it’s about creating a meaningful impact on today’s communities and ensuring the future relevance of these treasured sites.

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