Heritage Now

 Photo courtesy of George Azar

Dear Friend,

Whose heritage gets to be recognized and protected? How do heritage sites affect their surrounding environment and communities? Social justice, climate change, and sustainable tourism are only some of the considerations WMF integrates into our work. Cultural heritage exists in the present as much as it does in the past, and can play a fundamental role in our future.

That is why I am thrilled to announce that WMF is launching Heritage Now, a series of live events exploring cultural heritage at the nexus of current political, social, and environmental issues. The series will open with two events in October: The first on Thursday, October 15, focusing on Beirut in the wake of the recent tragic explosion, followed by the second on Friday, October 30, a discussion of monuments with difficult pasts from an international perspective, inspired by the ongoing American Confederate monument debate.

Also in October, Yale University Press will publish Fake Heritage: Why We Rebuild Monuments by our very own John Darlington, Executive Director of WMF Britain. We are delighted to host a conversation between the author and journalist/broadcaster Sir Simon Jenkins on Wednesday, October 21.

See you there, 

Bénédicte de Montlaur
President and CEO, World Monuments Fund

Saving the Soul of Beirut: The Path to Recovery

Thursday, October 15

12 pm (EDT) | 7 pm (EEST)

A Heritage Now Event

The explosion that tore through Beirut on August 4 has impacted an estimated 8,000 buildings, according to UNESCO, including 640 historic structures, 60 of which are at risk of collapse. On October 15, join WMF President and CEO Bénédicte de Montlaur in an online discussion on Beirut’s unique history and heritage, and explore future models for protection and revitalization.

Featuring Dr. George Arbid, architect and founding member and director of the Arab Center for Architecture in Beirut, Mona El Hallak, architect, heritage preservation activist and the director of the Neighborhood Initiative at the American University of Beirut (AUB), and Nadine Labaki, award-winning director, actress, and activist.

Fake Heritage: Why We Rebuild Monuments

Wednesday, October 21

12 pm (EDT) | 6 pm (BST)

Virtual Book Launch

What happens when the past – or, more specifically, a piece of cultural heritage – is fabricated? From the 50 replica Eiffel Towers located around the world to Saddam Hussein’s reconstructions of ancient cities, examples of forged heritage are widespread.

On October 21, join WMF Britain Executive Director John Darlington for the launch of his upcoming book, Fake Heritage: Why We Rebuild Monuments, and explore what happens when history is twisted to tell an untrue story. John Darlington will explore fake heritage stories from around the world and discuss the ethics and consequences of reconstructing the past with author, journalist and broadcaster Sir Simon Jenkins.

The Confederate Monument Debate: International Perspectives on the Future of Monuments with Difficult Pasts

Friday, October 30

2 pm (EDT) | 8 pm (GMT)

A Heritage Now Event

The destruction of Confederate memorials depicting white supremacists and slave owners has become a central issue in the protests calling for social justice in the name of Black Lives Matter which have swept across the United States. In recent years, protestors from Paris to Cape Town have made similar demands to remove monuments with roots in colonialism, imperialism, and systemic racism.

On October 30, join us for a virtual discussion exploring multiple perspectives on contested heritage. The discussion will feature British-Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, social historian of twentieth-century Europe Dr. Joshua Arthurs, and South African artist Sethembile Msezane. The conversation will be moderated by WMF President and CEO Bénédicte de Montlaur.

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