Siria Heritage Week in Italy

The Heritage International Institute is the first international organization to issue a global call to action for the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of a population already shaken by years of war.

The Heritage International Institute has announced the establishment of a Special Task Force that will act as a unifying force to foster trust, dialogue, social cohesion, and economic development in the country through cultural heritage.

This Task Force adopts a collaborative approach with the aim of enhancing the culture and values of all Syrians worldwide. As its first act and as a signal of immediate commitment, the Heritage International Institute is pleased to inaugurate the Syrian Culture Week in Italy, an exemplary opportunity to engage, discuss, and promote Syria's tangible, intangible, and natural cultural heritage.

Scheduled from 20 to 25 of January the Syrian Culture Week will feature workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and cultural and artistic events throughout Italy, designed to explore innovative approaches and effective policies for the protection of Syrian heritage.

Universities will convene leading academic experts to strengthen scientific interest in Syria, while the direct involvement of Syrian communities, present in Italy for decades, will allow the public to engage with their intangible heritage.

Syrian Culture: A Multidisciplinary Journey Through Landscape, Museology, and the Valorization of Cultural and Identity Heritage

School of Architecture and Design, Ascoli Piceno.
Thursday 23 January 2025.

Today, Aldo Grassini and Andrea Socrati participated in the Syrian Heritage Week in Italy, an event that explored the richness and complexity of Syrian heritage, bringing together diverse perspectives and disciplines.

Discussions highlighted the landscape as a witness to the country's millennia-long history and museology as a tool to preserve and enhance cultural heritage for Syria’s social and economic recovery.

Aldo Grassini emphasized the importance of accessibility as a cultural value and a synonym for democracy, noting that Syria's rebirth represents an opportunity to incorporate accessibility concerns from the outset.

Andrea Socrati spoke about the significance of educational programs for children in reimagining Syrian museums and cultural spaces, citing longstanding collaborations with Lebanon, which also involved Syrian refugee children with disabilities.

Other Speakers Included:

• Prof. Patrizia Dragoni, University of Macerata
• Dr. Hani El Debuch, Director of the Special Task Force on Syrian Heritage, HII
• Prof. Massimo Sargolini, University of Camerino
• Luca Cetara, EURAC Research, Rome
• Ludovica Simionato, University of Camerino

Moderator: Dr. Flavia Orsati.