United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationIn support of long-term conservation, the World Heritage Centre initiated a series of three workshops, focusing on Islamic architecture in the region, to foster the exchange of knowledge and experiences among World Heritage site managers, heritage authorities and conservators, as well as furthering best conservation practices, training and research.
The common aesthetic and architectural language, visible in numerous monuments from Isfahan through Samarkand to the Taj Mahal, represents outstanding examples of Islamic art and architecture. These linkages between Iran, Central Asia and India originate from the religious and cultural exchanges that have influenced the architectural style throughout the region. However, at present there is little or no cooperation between the heritage professionals working in the region, despite the many similarities in types of heritage and the conservation challenges.
Objectives
In order to establish a network for exchange and ensure long-term cooperation in the region, as well as foster best conservation practices and preservation of the sites, a series of three itinerant workshops were organized. The workshop focused on the common background and traditions of the sites, specific conservation issues and solutions and conservation measures, as well as future training needs.
In addition, the workshops lead to a fruitful exchange among the region’s World Heritage site managers and national authorities.
Workshop series
The itinerant workshops were conducted in three series:
Iran
26 Nov 2007 - 6 Dec 2007; Isfahan, Kashan, Shiraz
Uzbekistan
21 April - 2 May 2008; Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisyabz
India
6 - 12 April 2009; Delhi (Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort), Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri)
Final Itinerant Workshop on the Conservation and Management of Persian, Timurid and Mughal Architecture
The Workshop on ‘Conservation and Preservation of Timurid, Persian and Mughal Architecture’, was held in India from 6 – 12 April 2009, jointly organised by UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), UNESCO New Delhi Office and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The workshop was the third and final one of a serial itinerant workshops, the first one held in Iran in late 2007, and the second one in Uzbekistan in 2008.
This final workshop brought together cultural officials, site managers and experts from a selection of World Heritage sites in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, along with cultural heritage authorities in order to improve the cooperation between the heritage professionals in the region, in regard to the many similarities in types of heritage.
The workshop was organized as on-site training programme and held at specifically chosen World Heritage properties or sites.
The workshops focused largely on three topics:
1. Identification: Understanding common heritage, traditions and traditional methods of conservation;
2. Conservation: Identification of threats and conservation challenges, methods of conservation and restoration, documentation, issue of authenticity;
3. Site Management: Challenges to the management of these outstanding sites in the 21st Century, including tourism and visitor management.
For workshop agenda and list of participants click here
Major organizer
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC)
Iranian Workshop organizers
Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO)
Iranian National Commission for UNESCO
UNESCO Tehran Office
Uzbekistan Workshop organizers
IICAS (International Institute for Central Asian Studies, Samarkand, Uzbekistan)
Uzbekistan National Commission for UNESCO
UNESCO Tashkent Office
Indian Workshop organizers
ASI (Archaeological Survey of India)
UNESCO New Delhi office
Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Source: UNESCO New Delhi - Publication Date: 27-05-2009