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Durbar Hall ceiling after conservation. Photo by Maniyarasan R.
WMF first included Osmania University College for Women on the World Monuments Watch in 2002 in response to the collapse of one of the building’s signature spaces, the Durbar Hall, caused by water damage to the timber support structures. It was listed again on the 2004 Watch due to the extensive conservation needs. In the following years, WMF first developed a Conservation Management Plan that focused on enhancing structural stability, mitigating water damage, and improving maintenance plans, which ultimately led to the start of the restoration phase in 2015.
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“We are proud to witness today the next stage in the restoration of the cultural heritage and civilization of the spirit of Mosul,” said Dr. Laith Hussein, Director of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), as part of his opening remarks at the launch event, which drew 300 people and included live music and tours of the galleries and gardens.
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Crisis response has been a major theme in World Monuments Fund’s (WMF) work this year, and my recent trip to Iraq was a testament to the role heritage can play in regions dealing with post-crisis situations. From fostering a sense of belonging in Mosul after years of occupation by Daesh (also known as ISIS) to protecting ancient cities in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion, our work in the country continues to play an important part in social and economic rebuilding.
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From a Sephardic synagogue where spice merchants once worshiped to caves richly painted with Tibetan Buddhist murals, the religious sites World Monuments Fund (WMF) has helped conserve in India testify to the country’s long history of religious pluralism. Celebrating the incredible diversity of Indian heritage has been central to our work there for over 25 years. In this post, we’re highlighting the breadth of sacred places WMF has worked at in India—and how heritage has the potential to create a more inclusive society.
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World Monuments Fund (WMF) donors and staff members visited Güell Pavilions and Garden, a 2014 Watch site, in advance of the launch of new work there. One of Gaudí’s early creations, the pavilions were commissioned by (and bear the name of) Eusebi Güell, who would become Gaudí’s lifelong patron.
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Green Wood Cemetery B2CC graduation day featuring all 2023 interns in front of restored Delafield Vault
This spring, Wickremesinghe and the restoration team at Green-Wood mentored a cohort of twelve future heritage professionals as part of B2CC, which since its foundation in 2015 has offered young people hands-on technical training to prepare them for a stable career in heritage preservation. Interns honed their skills on the Delafield Vault; Joe Delafield, a descendant of those interred in the vault, attended the graduation ceremony in a gesture showing how meaningful it was to have his family’s monument cared for as part of the program.
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