Online

Event

The War on Ukrainian Heritage

In this online event recorded in November 2022, we hear from Dr Kateryna Goncharova, Ukrainian Heritage Crisis Specialist at the World Monuments Fund, about the Russian military invasion and its impact on Ukrainian Heritage.

As well as providing an overview of the significance of Ukrainian culture and heritage, this event outlined the immediate threats and risks posed by the war; explaining how they are impacting a nation's fragile historic environment.

Attacks on heritage and identity during this conflict have been wide-reaching and have included targeted attacks within historic cities, the destruction of cultural sites and the looting of museums and archival collections.

While the war and its effect on Ukrainian heritage has been reported widely, there have been notable cases of misunderstanding and misinformation. Through this event we explored these issues and heard – from the ground – what’s taking place.

Listen to the recording to hear what can be done to safeguard heritage and how people and institutions can support Ukrainian heritage professionals and their work today.

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Event

Heritage Craft in India

This online event recorded in November 2022, explores the traditions of craft heritage in India, as well as the significance of contemporary production in the country today.

The webinar brought together local designers and makers, including block printers, weavers and embroiderers, as well as those working to support the continuation of these craft skills for the future.

The discussion explored themes relating to regional identity, the cultural and commercial elements of craft production, as well as the legacy and inheritance of those working today.

Speakers:
Abdul Jabbar Mohammed Khatri, Ajrakh, block printer

Adam Khatri, Ajrakh, block printer

Shamji Vankar Vishram Valji, Master Weaver, Vankar Vishram Valji Weaving

Ami Shroff, Director of the Shrujan Trust

Laura Searson, Cultural Heritage Preservation Lead, V&A (Host)

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Event

Saving Aleppo’s Heritage: Stories from Local Graduate Architects

This event, recorded in June 2022, brought together Syrian Graduate Architects from the social enterprise ‘Places of ARcture’, to discuss the importance of protecting cultural heritage in their home city of Aleppo, within their own practice.

In a country devasted by many years of conflict, this event highlighted some of the surviving architectural heritage in the ancient part of the Aleppo city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The discussions explored the challenges of preserving and restoring a living heritage site, whilst respecting and incorporating the needs of the local people connected to the area.

Through a series of presentations, short film screenings and a Q&A, we discover the different ways that these architects are positioning the identity of the city, its tangible and intangible heritage, as the cornerstones of its reconstruction.

This event was programmed in collaboration with the London Festival of Architecture.

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Event

Understanding the Illicit Trade under ISIS in Syria

This online discussion, recorded in June 2022, explores the illicit trade of cultural property in Syria, under the ISIS regime. From the regulated looting of heritage sites to the systems of trade and management which trafficked archaeological finds out of the country, we explore new evidence which brings to light the precedence, practice and prevalence of these activities.

We welcome two heritage specialists who will share their thoughts and research, considering areas such as; the role of local communities in understanding and preventing looting, international attention and media myths that surround these activities, and their recommendations for a global approach to tackling the illicit trade for good.

Speakers
- Dr Neil Brodie, Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East & North Africa, School of Archaeology, Oxford University
- Dr Isber Sabrine, Co-Founder and President, Heritage for Peace
- Laura Searson, Cultural Heritage Preservation Lead, V&A (Host)

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Event

Heritage and Humanitarian Collaboration in Emergency Response

This roundtable event, recorded in April 2022, discussed bridging the gap between the heritage and humanitarian sectors, exploring themes relating to communication, collaboration and the role of heritage in peacebuilding.
It addressed how the cultural and humanitarian sectors engage in emergency response activities, as well as the routes - and obstacles – to better integration between our fields.

Speakers
Laura Searson, Cultural Heritage Preservation Lead, V&A (Host)
Aparna Tandon, Senior Programme Leader, First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis, ICCROM
Camille Nussbaum, Executive Coordinator, Institute of Studies on Conflicts and Humanitarian Action
Vanessa Fraga Prol, Programme Manager, Cultural Emergency Response (CER)
Nadia Hashimi, CEO of Sayed & Nadia Consultancy (former World Bank Employee).

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