Heritage and Conflict: Syria’s battle to protect its past

With a capital among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Syria has been home to some of the world’s most ancient civilisations. But after five years of armed conflict, the country has suffered a devastating loss of cultural heritage.

At an exclusive Edinburgh World Heritage lecture, Professor Maamoun Abdulkarim, Director-General of Antiquities and Museums, Arab Republic of Syria, will talk about the appalling destruction of priceless monuments in many parts of the country as well as the impressive efforts led by his team to conceal important museum collections across Syria from further harm. He will call upon the international community to redouble its efforts to help Syria protect, and in places rebuild, its heritage for the benefit of all humanity.
The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception to welcome Professor Abdulkarim to Edinburgh.