UNESCO attends the inauguration of the exhibition on the reconstruction of cultural heritage

Within the framework of the conference Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region - held in Brussels on April 5 2017, UNESCO was invited at the inauguration of the exhibition on the reconstruction of cultural heritage: Rising from Destruction – Ebla – Nimrud – Palmyra, organised by the Italian Representation at the EU and the Association Incontro di Civiltà.

The exhibition was introduced by Francesco Rutelli, President of Incontro di Civiltà, former Italian Minister of Culture and former Mayor of Rome, in the presence of the High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, the Italian Minister of Foreing Affairs, Angelino Alfano, and the co-Director of the Italian Archeological Mission to Ebla, Frances Pinnock.

The display is part of a larger exhibition, inaugurated in Rome in December 2016 under the Patronage of UNESCO, presenting 3D replicas of three cultural heritage masterpieces destroyed by Daesh: the statue of Lamassu, in Nimrud; the ceiling of the temple of Bel at Palmyra; and the Royal Archives at Ebla. The exhibition in Rome was firstly conceived by Associazione Incontro di Civilità, organized by Soprintendenza Speciale per il Colosseo e l’area Archeologica Centrale di Roma with Electa and with the support of Fondazione Terzo Pilastro – Italia e Mediterraneo.

The exhibit wishes to raise awareness on the destruction of heritage in Syria and neighbouring countries, and the importance to protect heritage in order to preserve our common human history. It is also a way to support citizens and professionals who strenuously put their lives at risk to safeguard our shared heritage.