Beirut: Unesco, heal the wounds of cultural heritage

(ANSA) - ROME, AUGUST 14 - The explosions of August 4 in Beirut caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of injured but also inflicted devastating wounds on the cultural heritage of the city.
   Destroyed some of Beirut's oldest neighborhoods and severely damaged museums, art galleries and religious sites. For this reason, Unesco took the field to undertake to coordinate the restoration and reconstruction of cultural sites.
    A first estimate of the damage caused by the gigantic explosions was made by Sarkis Khoury, general director of antiquities at the Ministry of Culture of Lebanon.
   He found that at least 8,000 buildings were affected, many of which are concentrated in the old districts of Gemayzée Mar-Mikhael. About 640 are historic buildings, about 60 of which are in danger of collapsing. The director also spoke about the impact of the explosion on major museums, such as the National Museum of Beirut, the Sursock Museum and the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut, as well as on cultural spaces, galleries and religious sites.
    Following the request for help from the General Directorate for Antiquities of Lebanon, UNESCO has undertaken to lead the international mobilization for the recovery and reconstruction of the culture and heritage of Beirut, based on the technical needs of the Directorate General and the international action plan. for Beirut culture. Partners in this project include the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage, Blue Shield, the International Center for the Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property and the International Council of Museums.
    UNESCO is committed to ensuring that Beirut's rich cultural life and heritage can continue to be a source of strength and resilience for the Lebanese people. (HANDLE).