 Obituary - In Memoriam: Professor Herb Stovel, conservationist (Canada)
Professor Herb Stovel, one of the world’s most renowned experts in heritage conservation, recently passed away in Ottawa, Canada.
During his long career, Professor Stovel made an outstanding contribution to heritage conservation and to the World Heritage Convention in
particular. As a scholar and a teacher of exceptional intellectual curiosity and rigour, he has had a huge impact on the advancement of the field as well as in building the capacities of hundreds of heritage professionals all over the world. Author of numerous landmark books and
publications on various topics related to heritage, he was perhaps best known for his role in the drafting of the Nara Document on Authenticity, in 1994, together with Raymond Lemaire. As part of ICCROM’s delegation as an Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee,
between 1998 and 2004, Prof. Stovel made a special contribution to the strengthening of the Convention’s policies and practice, notably through the development of its Global Training Strategy, the authoring of two well-known ICCROM publications on risk preparedness for world
cultural heritage and conservation of living religious heritage as well as by playing an active role in post-inscription training and management activities.
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/850
 Ambitious Vatican restoration of the statue-topped colonnade that cradles St. Peter's Square moves ahead - Holy See
An ambitious project to clean the statue-topped colonnade that cradles St. Peter's Square is likely to last at least three more years, the director of the Vatican restoration says. The work on Gian Lorenzo Bernini's columns began in 2009, after some two years of preliminary studies,
and it is proceeding in sections so the square can still be used for Vatican events, including papal appearances.
+ info: http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=54230
 Gelukstraat / Dierendonck Blancke Architecten - Ghent - Belgium
A very small plot in the centre of ghent. The client wants an extension of his house that borders the building plot, and an apartment to rent. On the ground floor we provide an atelier connected through a small courtyard with the owner’s house and entrance to the parent apartment.
+ info: http://www.archdaily.com/216130/gelukstraat-dierendonck-blancke-architecten/
 Presentation of the Management Plan of Choirokitia, Cyprus
In the framework of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary, the management plan for the conservation and development of the Neolithic settlement of Choirokitia, Cyprus, will be presented. The preparation of this Plan was funded by the UNESCO Participation Programme
(2010-2011) and will be presented to the public in situ by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, the Cyprus Institute and the French Archaeological mission which undertakes excavations in Choirokitia. The event will be organized in cooperation with the Community Council of
Choirokitia and the Youth Centre of the community. During the presentation an exhibition will also be organized and a short film will be projected.
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/events/855/
 Morocco's Roman ruins Volubilis, Lixus and Sala Colonia: Stunning, with few tourists
Visitors to Morocco usually head straight for the beaches or plunge into the winding alleys of exotic medieval markets, but this rich North African country also has a wealth of ruins from its days as a Roman colony. Few visit Morocco's handful of 2,000-year-old sites, but they are
well worth the side trip, not least because the ancient city planners had a knack for picking the most stunning locations for their towns.
+ info: http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=54310
 Jaeger-LeCoultre auction benefits Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Philippines
From 12-15 March 2012, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre, partner of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre since 2008, organized its fourth online auction for the benefit of World Heritage marine sites. This year, the Manufacture auctioned a new water-
resistant watch inspired by the Memovox Deep Sea: Prototype N° 1 of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph.
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/856
L'archéologie à Versailles - Un vaste terrain de fouilles
Le château, musée et domaine national de Versailles constituant un site classé au titre des monuments historiques, tous les projets d’aménagement touchant le sous-sol sont précédés d’une recherche historique et archéologique. Cette dernière prend la forme de sondages
ponctuels, destinés à détecter la présence d’éventuels vestiges, sondages qui sont, le cas échéant, suivis d’une fouille plus approfondie.
+ info: http://www.chateauversailles.fr/les-actualites-du-domaine/evenements/evenements/vie-scientifique/larcheologie-a-versailles
 Serengeti Legal Case Going to Trial - United Republic of Tanzania
A legal case was filed in December, 2010, in the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) by the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), a Kenyan nonprofit organization. It challenged the Tanzanian government's right to build a highway across the Serengeti National Park.
+ info: http://www.savetheserengeti.org/serengeti-legal-defense-fund/#axzz1sqmRTtXe
Latest Acquisitions of the Palace of Versailles - France
Find out some recent acquisitions of Versailles.
+ info: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news-/events/life-of-the-estate/the-acquisitions-of-the-paelace
Message for World Heritage Convention by the Secretary of State of the USA
140 years ago, the United States established Yellowstone as our very first national park. A century later, as a charter member of UNESCO, we proposed the World Heritage Convention, initiating a global movement to protect the earth's resources and treasures.
+ info: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/03/185917.htm
Natural and mixed World Heritage sites GIS Boundaries
IUCN and UNEP-WCMC have compiled a KML layer with key information on the natural and mixed World Heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 1 January 2012. The information comes from the latest version of the World Database on Protected Areas
(WDPA).
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/853
 Yungang Grottoes Museum in Datong / Do Union Architecture - 2011 - China
Yungang Grottoes Museum in Datong(approved construction by State Administration of Cultural Heritage and Shanxi provincial government in 2010). Established on the west edge of Yungang Grottoes in Datong, within the scenic spot of Conservation Zone, is one of subprojects at
the whole renovation area of Yugang Grottoes. Situated in southwest of the scenic spot, enclosed by Northern Wei Grottoed in north .The project covers a total construction area of 9939.46 square meters, containing an exhibition hall and a multi-functional performing arts
center(recovered at the site of the ancient city).
+ info: http://www.archdaily.com/217309/yungang-grottoes-museum-in-datong-do-union-architecture/
KML File of World Heritage Sites compiled by IUCN and WCMC - World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA)
IUCN and UNEP-WCMC have compiled a KML layer with key information on the natural and mixed World Heritage sites that were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 1 January 2012. The information comes from the latest version of the World Database on
Protected Areas (WDPA). The WDPA is a joint project of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and IUCN, maintained at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre working with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, governments and collaborating
non-governmental organisations…
+ info: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/kml-file-of-world-heritage-sites_812.html
 Liverpool's World Heritage Status Threatened by New Development - United Kingdom
A delegation of inspectors from UNESCO visited Liverpool this November, and indicated that unless the current £5.5 billion Liverpool Waters project is radically changed, UNESCO will recommend the city be stripped of its world heritage status.
+ info: http://intbau.org/news-archive/217-liverpool-whs.html
 The RAINS Project / Sabrina Faber - Sana'a - Yemen
Sana’a, Yemen is at risk of being the first capital city in the World to run out of renewable, reliable and clean water supplies. With seasonal rain, expensive bottled water and polluted reservoirs, the residents of Sana’a are constantly faced with waterborne diseases and severe
drought hazards.
+ info: http://www.archdaily.com/219452/the-rains-project-sabrina-faber/
Category 2 Centres under the auspices of UNESCO related to World Heritage
In recent years, the framework for training and research in the field of World Heritage has changed significantly. Among the factors that have contributed to these rapid changes, is the emerging of many new institutions now offering capacity building within the World Heritage
context. In this regard, a major development was the establishment, in various regions of the world, of capacity building institutions that have been granted the status of "category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO"1, dealing specifically with World Heritage…
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/activities/676/
 New Bauhaus Museum / MenoMenoPiu Architects - Weimar - Germany
MenoMenoPiu Architects shared with us their winning proposal in the Classic Siftung Weimar international competition for the New Bauhaus Museum. The building is conceived as an open square at the crossing point of the three main city forces, old and new city and the park, a
flexible “object” that allows different activities inside and around it.
+ info: http://www.archdaily.com/219383/new-bauhaus-museum-menomenopiu-architects/
UNESCO committed to stronger links between World Heritage and Tourism
UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova underlined the importance of better integrating cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism during the Roundtable on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, held in Miami on 19 March. She highlighted that cultural heritage is
a powerful driver of social and economic development for local communities.
Also participating in this Roundtable were William Talbert, President and CEO Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Mario Goderich, Assistant Director of the Miami Dade County's
Sustainability, Planning and Economic Enhancement Department; Nathaniel Reed, Former Assistant Secretary Department of the Interior; and Dan Kimball, Superintendent Everglades National Park…
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/858
 Lecture "World Heritage and Economic Development" - Edinburgh, Scotland (United Kingdom) 17 April 2012
The lecture “World Heritage and Economic Development”, organized by Edinburgh World Heritage together with the City of Edinburgh Council and RSA Fellows MCICH Network, will take place on Tuesday 17 April, 6.00pm at the Royal College of Physicians in order to mark World
Heritage Day and the 40th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
The lecture will look at how World Heritage can be used to promote and support economic regeneration, with contributions from two expert speakers and panel discussion with Professor
Charles McKean, chairman of Edinburgh World Heritage, and Greg Ward, Head of Economic Development at the City of Edinburgh Council.
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/events/861
 World Heritage sites participate in Earth Hour
UNESCO will partner with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Earth Hour, one of the world's largest and most well-known environmental campaigns in the world. UNESCO has invited World Heritage sites to participate in this initiative by switching off the lights on the night of Earth
Hour: Saturday, 31 March 2012, from 8:30 to 9:30pm local time. The lights will also be switched off at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France…
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/861
 Archaeological discoveries - Tenochtitlan - Mexico
In the sacred place of Tenochtitlan, archaeologists from INAH-Conaculta (The Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History and the Mexican National Council for Culture and the Arts), have found 23 tombstones over 550 years old, with etched images of snakes,
prisoners, ornaments and warriors, which, as a whole, appears to depict the story alluding to the birth of Huitzilopochtli and the origins of the Holy War between the Mexicas.
The tombstones are located in front of the remains of the Tenochtitlan Templo Mayor (Ancient
Temple), in Mexico City's Historic Centre, next to the circular platform adorned with snakes' heads, discovered in September 2011. The tombstones are laid out purposefully along a path consisting of slabs of pink and balsaltic andesite (measuring 16.7 metres in length and 3.3
metres in width). Its height corresponds to the 4th stage of the construction of the Templo Mayor which was built between 1440 and 1469, during the Tlatoani government of Moctezuma I. The location and the layout appear to match the references found in the General History of
the Things of New Spain by Bernardino de Sahagún and in The History of the Indies of New Spain, written by Diego Durán and in the Boturini and Chimalpopoca codices…
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/863/
 Australia consolidates and expands Kakadu Ramsar Site
In 1980, the government of Australia first designated a significant part of the famous Kakadu National Park and World Heritage natural and cultural site in the Northern Territory, and it added another large part in 1989. Now the two Kakadu Ramsar Sites have been consolidated
into one and extended by an additional 600,000 hectares to conform fully to the boundaries of the National Park, now covering 1,979,766 hectares. A summary description of the site can be found on the Annotated Ramsar List.
+ info: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-notes-anno-australia/main/ramsar/1-30-168%5E16713_4000_0__
 Maritime and Beachcombers Museum / Mecanoo - 2010-2011 - Texel - The Netherlands
The island of Texel is situated in the Waddenzee and is the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands. Every year a million or so tourists visit the island, which is only accessible by plane, boat or ferry. Few however will be familiar with the glorious history of Texel and its links with the
Dutch East India Company.
+ info: http://www.archdaily.com/221129/maritime-and-beachcombers-museum-mecanoo/
 UNESCO Director-General expresses concern about the situation in Mali
In reaction to recent events in Northern Mali, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova expresses her deep concern about the possible consequences of the ongoing armed conflict on the invaluable cultural World Heritage property located in Timbuktu and Gao. The recent takeover
of these cities by the Tuareg rebels could have damaging effects on the management and conservation of the three mosques and 16 mausoleums of Timbuktu, as well as the Tomb of Askia in Gao.
The Director General calls on all belligerents to ensure the protection of these
heritage treasures, to which the international community and UNESCO attach great importance, as expressed by their inscription on the World Heritage List.
Timbuktu and its three great mosques reflect the golden age of an intellectual and spiritual capital in the fifteenth
century. These mosques have played a vital role in spreading Islam in Africa. They carry the identity and dignity of a whole people.
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/865
 Brainstorming for including the Loire Valley wetlands in the Ramsar List - France
At the end of 2011, the Loire Anjou Touraine regional natural park began brainstorming for recognition of the Loire Valley natural heritage as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. To this end, it is an associate member of the recent association
"Ramsar France" which works to spread the news on and promote the Ramsar label in France, improve the management of listed Ramsar sites and encourage the creation of new sites.
In 1997, the Park had already begun discussions along these lines, resulting in the Loire
Valley's inclusion in the World Heritage List in 2000 as a cultural landscape.
+ info: http://loirevalley-worldheritage.org/News/Articles/All/Brainstorming-for-including-the-Loire-Valley-wetlands-in-the-Ramsar-List
 Reopening of the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Albi (France)
The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum is today an ambassador for the city of Albi and draws nearly 160,000 visitors annually, which places it among the top museums outside of Paris. Since 2001, it has undertaken an ambitious overhaul program which will put it among the great
contemporary museums.
Begun in 2001, the renovation work includes redesigning the entrance to the museum now relocated to the Court of Honour. New areas have been created below the palace.
The exhibition hung at the beginning of 2008 offers a new reading of
Toulouse-Lautrec’s work.
+ info: http://www.museetoulouselautrec.net/
 Exhibition - The Loire - Anjou's mirror and memory. Saint Florent le Vieil (France) 10 March - 8 April 2012
This exhibition of Jean-Paul Gislard's photos is on display from 10 March to 8 April 2012 at St Florent le Vieil Abbey. It has been put together by the Saint-Florent-le-Vieil town hall in liaison with Mission Val de Loire.
The original approach of the film-maker and photographer
Jean-Paul Gislard captures the "vernacular heritage" of the Loire Valley in Anjou: high water marks, votive chapels, vinegrowers' houses on the hillside, the bargees' path below, slipways and quays, etc.
The Mission Val de Loire intends to turn this into a touring exhibition
through the municipalities in the World Heritage site. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission
+ info: http://loirevalley-worldheritage.org/News/Articles/All/The-Loire-Anjou-s-mirror-and-memory
 Fontevraud Abbey under renovation: blending heritage and sustainable development - Val de Loire (France)
A works campaign has begun at Fontevraud Abbey over recent months: creation of work areas, renovation of Saint-Lazare Hotel, construction of an energy centre … The objective of the cultural project is to introduce contemporary forms and uses in a heritage site spanning
several centuries. An information and mediation point will give visitors insight into the different stages of these works.
+ info: http://loirevalley-worldheritage.org/News/Articles/All/Fontevraud-under-renovation
African World Heritage Fund : A dialogue on Heritage and Sustainable development / Dialogue sur le thème du patrimoine et du développement durable
2012 is the year that we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. UNESCO has chosen “World Heritage and Sustainable Development – the role of local communities” as the topic for the celebrations. This is a very pertinent topic particularly
for World Heritage in Africa.
The Departments of Environmental Affairs and that of Arts and Culture of South Africa, the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and the UNESCO-World Heritage Centre plan a three phase programme on World Heritage and Sustainable
Development to be implemented in 2012.
+ info: http://www.awhf.net/index.php?option=com_acymailing&view=lists&Itemid=72
18 April 2012: International day for Monuments and Sites
Theme 2012: World Heritage. The 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention: Recognising challenges for the future
18 April 2012
--
Organizers: ICOMOS and World Heritage Centre (WHC)
Contact: secretariat@icomos.org
+ info: http://www.icomos.org/18thapril/2012/18_April_release_EN_20120322.pdf
 World Heritage Volunteers 2012 - Beyond Territories and Boundaries - World Heritage Convention 40th Anniversary
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Convention, the World Heritage Volunteers 2012 'Beyond territories and boundaries' will be holding 50 'Patrimonito work camps' in 40 world heritage sites and 25 countries, on all continents. The work camp projects will involve 33 youth
organisations.
+ info: http://whc.unesco.org/en/activities/678/
Célébration du 40e anniversaire de la Convention du patrimoine mondial - Conférence, exposition, marche, concert sur le voyage et l'hospitalité- Pons - Charente-Maritime - 2012
La Ville de Pons (Charente-Maritime), halte sur l’itinéraire de Tours vers Saint Jacques de Compostelle (GR®655) célèbre le quarantième anniversaire du patrimoine mondial.
le thème « Voyage et hospitalité » est le fil conducteur de sa programmation : un événement par mois
depuis janvier jusqu’en juin où se tiendra la cérémonie de dévoilement de la plaque commémorative d’inscription sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial.
+ info: http://www.pons-tourisme.fr/
 Webdocumentaire - Dans les murs de la Casbah (Alger-Algérie) Collaboration de l'Université Rennes 2 (France)
La Casbah d’Alger porte dans ses murs autant l’Histoire du pays que les problématiques urbaines de l’Algérie moderne. Symbolique de l’identité algérienne, elle cherche son avenir... Laissez-vous entraîner dans son dédale d'escaliers avec "Dans les murs de la Casbah" , un
webdocumentaire original réalisé par Céline Dréan en collaboration avec le sociolinguiste alégérien Réda Sébih (sous la direction des Universités de Rennes 2 et d'Alger 2).
À chaque carrefour, au détour d’une ruelle, l’internaute peut entrer dans un café pour écouter les
anciens, pousser la porte de la maison des femmes ou encore s’installer avec des étudiants parlant de leurs rêves d’avenir. Il peut emprunter trois parcours virtuels pour s’immerger dans ce morceau d'Algérie et y écouter la parole des Casbadjis. En écho à ces témoignages, des
chercheurs algériens nous aident à comprendre la Casbah… Cette exploration inédite interactive et inédite du quartier mythique algérois est le premier webdocumentaire aidé par la Région Bretagne.
+ info: http://casbah.france24.com/webdoc/index_mid.html
Hadrian's Wall - The museum at Housesteads Roman Fort has been transformed - Hexham - United Kingdom
The museum at Housesteads Roman Fort has been transformed. Visit the new exhibition which explores life on the edge of the Roman Empire. See what it was really like to live on this hilltop fortress of Vercovicium, the Roman name for Housesteads which means 'place of the
effective fighters'.
+ info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall/museum/new-exhibition/
 Albi Major Theatre / Dominique Perrault Architecture - 2011-2013 - France
The winning proposal for the Albi Major Theatre, designed by Dominique Perrault Architecture, aims at transforming the texture of the city as well as its cultural influence. Appearing as an outstanding architectural symbol, on the outskirts of the historic center, the architects gave
priority to the presence of the Major Theatre instead of the cinemas, in order to organize around it a network of public spaces and of cultural facilities. Therefore, the Major Theatre will be its center.
+ info: http://www.archdaily.com/224203/albi-major-theatre-dominique-perrault-architecture/
 Paestumanità, un’azione per il patrimonio dell’Umanità di Valentina Del Pizzo - Paestum - Italy
Paestumanità è un’operazione di azionariato popolare finalizzata ad acquisire i terreni privati (80% circa su un totale di 120 ha) compresi entro le mura del sito archeologico di Poseidonia/ Paestum, patrimonio dell’Umanità. Ed è proprio alla Umanità tutta che il progetto, promosso
da Legambiente, rivolge il proprio appello: intendiamo comprare per salvaguardare un pezzo della nostraa storia per favorire così la ricerca e la valorizzazione dei suoi risultati. Il punto fondamentale è pertanto il contributo di ciascuno attraverso le c.d. Buone Azioni, del valore di
50 € cadauna.
+ info: http://www.tafter.it/2012/04/03/paestumanita-unazione-per-il-patrimonio-dellumanita-di-valentina-del-pizzo/
UNESCO Director-General appeals for concerted action to prevent loss or destruction of Timbuktu's documentary heritage (Mali)
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today voiced alarm over the safety of Timbuktu’s invaluable cultural heritage, following reports that rebels have over-run and looted centres containing thousands of ancient books and documents that bear testimony to the city’s
extraordinary history. The Director-General appealed to all relevant authorities, including Mali’s warring factions, neighbouring governments, Interpol, customs organisations, the art market and collectors, to be on the alert against any attempt to traffic items stolen from these
centres.
+ info: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/unesco_director_general |
World Heritage
Education, training and awareness-raising. TEACHING MANUAL: THE FORTIFICATIONS OF VAUBAN 
Jeux et Enjeux de la planétisation - Patrimoine - Culture - Monde 