1994 no 7-8

1994 (no. 7-8)

The Destruction of Cultural Heritage in the Former Yugoslavia

Although a framework for the legal protection of cultural heritage has been codified since 1899, no real venue for its protection was established until the devastating destruction of World War II prompted officials to adopt measures that could protect cultural heritage during peacetime as well as war. The founding of the United Nations and, more specifically, of UNESCO was a significant event that created a body of specialists and advocates whose professional obligation it was to work for the enhancement and protection of cultural heritage on an international scale. The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, convened by UNESCO at The Hague in 1954, succeeded in creating an international legal treaty that could protect this heritage during armed hostilities. Protocols I and II additional to the Geneva Convention of 1949 were convened in 1977 as a further measure of protection. Through these measures, protection is provided to built heritage and moveable property during times of armed conflict as long as they are not used for military purposes, making them a "military objective" and thus a legitimate target. Within this framework, documentation is being conducted of the destruction of cultural heritage in the former Yugoslavia, not merely with the aim of creating an inventory or rebuilding Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina after the close of the conflict, but in the hopes of making perpetrators aware of the legal framework available for the prosecution of the destruction of cultural heritage as a war crime.

For more information on this issue or efforts to rebuild Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, contact the author directly at 708/491-1208. A Source Book on Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1992-1994 and International Standards for Protecting Cultural Property during Armed Conflict is available at cost from Arlene K. Fleming, Cultural Resource Management Consultant, Great Falls, VA ZIP, tel: 703/759-3701, fax: 703/759-6671. Leslie Slavitt, Consultant International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI)

Two recent events in Washington, DC presented information on damage to cultural heritage in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A Symposium on Destruction and Rebuilding of Architectural Treasures in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on May 2, 1994, at the Conference Center of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Attended by federal government executive and congressional staff, media representatives and preservationists, the program featured presentations and discussion. Two speakers from The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture, Andras J. Riedlmayer, Bibliographer, and Amir Pasic, Visiting Scholar, lectured on Bosnia's multicultural heritage, its destruction and plans for rebuilding. W. Hays Parks of the U.S. Department of the Army spoke about the principles, terms and application of the 1954 Hague Convention for Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Thomas S. Warrick, an international lawyer, related his work on documentation of cultural property destruction in the Bosnian Conflict for the United Nations Commission of Experts. The symposium transcript will be available on the Internet later this month.

An illustrated lecture by Dr. Amir Pasic was sponsored by US/ICOMOS and three other organizations: the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the World Affairs Council on Washington, D.C. Dr. Pasic, a Bosnian architect and urban planner, spoke about "Mostar 2004: Destruction and Rebuilding of Architectural Treasures on Bosnia and Herzegovina." Dr. Pasic received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1986 for the restoration of the old town of Mostar. In the wake of its destruction, he is leading an international effort to plan the reconstruction of parts of the old city. The first phase is occurring this summer in Istanbul, where an international group of architecture students is working under Dr. Pasic's direction with documentation on the historic structures of Mostar. At the conclusion of the session, their work will be reviewed by an international jury of distinguished architects, planners, historians and public servants.

 

Recognition of Women in Preservation

In conjunction with The First National Conference, Reclaiming Women's History Through Historic Preservation, The Ann Pamela Cunningham Awards, sponsored by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union were presented on Saturday, June 18, 1994. Nominations were sought from preservation organizations across the country. The award criteria follow: award recipients must show leadership of community or state historic efforts that influence the development and direction of the field; contributions to the historic preservation of communities in geographic and culturally diverse settings; innovation in historic preservation that has had a lasting impact on its philosophy or programs; and sustained achievement in the field. Award recipients were Helen Duprey Bullock, Betty M. Chronic, Constance M. Greiff, Elizabeth A. Lyon and Joan Maynard. US/ICOMOS members on The Honor Roll include: Helen Cole, Joan Davidson, Hester A. Davis, Phyllis Fox, Sallye G. Jude, Terry B. Morton, Constance Werner Ramirez, Ann Webster Smith and Margaret B. Tinkcom.

 

US/ICOMOS Events at the 48th National Preservation Conference

The National Trust for Historic Preservation will hold its 48th National Preservation Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, October 26-30, 1994. Under the theme, "Preservation, Economics and Community Rebirth," the event will explore topics such as downtown revitalization, affordable housing, financing preservation, stewardship and heritage tourism.

The US/ICOMOS Breakfast will be held on Friday, October 28, at 7:15-8:30 am. The breakfast program will include announcements of recent and upcoming events and illustrated 10-minute presentations by members of recent international projects or works-in-progress. One or two speaker slots are unfilled. Interested members should contact US/ICOMOS to propose a topic.

Also on Friday, October 28, at 1:15-2:45 pm, the National Trust will sponsor an education session on "International Public Policy Issues and Comparative Approaches." A panel of prominent preservationists representing heritage organizations from other nations will join National Trust staff to discuss common and contrasting approaches to legal, public policy and other preservation issues of mutual concern. Representatives from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are expected to participate. This session is coordinated with US/ICOMOS to form an international program that can be attended in one day. The National Trust is a member of the International Conference of National Trusts.

Immediately following will be the US/ICOMOS education session, at 3:00-4:30 pm, "International Preservation: Getting into the World Picture." The session will be moderated by Ann Webster Smith, US/ICOMOS Vice Chairman. The first half of the program will review "International Programs at Home," with presentations on the US/ICOMOS International Summer Intern Program and exchanges by Ellen Delage, US/ICOMOS Program Officer, and by a former intern; and on the US/ICOMOS National/International Committees by John Pearce, Chairman, US/ICOMOS Historic Towns Committee.

The second part of the program will focus on "International Activities Beyond Our Borders." Jean-Louis Luxen of Belgium, ICOMOS Secretary General and Chairman of the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Council of Europe will give the international perspective. A second invited speaker will address the question of "The protection of Cultural Heritage Integrity: Monitoring the World Heritage List."

On Saturday, October 29, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, US/ICOMOS will hold a meeting for members only to continue the Strategic Planning process begun this summer. The meeting will be held at the Tremont House, near the conference headquarters hotel. Members are urged to attend in order to participate in the organization's self-examination, restructuring and goal setting for the future.

US/ICOMOS will host a reception, a "Boston Tea Party," for the first time during the National Trust conference, to be held on Saturday evening from 5:00-7:00 pm. Teas from Sri Lanka, the site of the last ICOMOS General Assembly and the home of the President of ICOMOS, will be served and proceeds of the event will be used to support a summer intern from Asia.

Registration for the US/ICOMOS Breakfast, education session and Boston Tea Party is taken by the National Trust conference registration.

 

US/ICOMOS Seeks New Chief Executive Officer

President, United States Committee, International Council on Monuments and Sites. US/ICOMOS is seeking experienced, recognized leader in field to head Washington-based international historic preservation organization beginning 1/1/95. Full job description and selection schedule available 8/1/94. Written replies only to US/ICOMOS.

 

News of Members & Friends

Erica Avrami (US/ICOMOS Intern 1988) has joined the staff of the Getty Conservation Institute as a Coordinator in the Training Program. * * * Molly Lambert, member of the US/ICOMOS National Specialized Committee on Earthen Architecture, has accepted a position at the Documentation Program of the Getty Conservation Institute. * * * Thomas C. Roby, a conservator working in Italy, was awarded a 1994 Rome Prize for a one-year fellowship at the American Academy in Rome. * * * William C. S. Remsen has accepted a two-year position in Cairo as technical director for conservation projects being carried out with grants awarded by the American Research Center in Egypt. * * * The first recipient of the Richard Morris Hunt Fellowship in Historic Preservation, John Robbins, was named Executive Director for the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.

 

Publications

Of Mosaics and Mosques: A Look at the Campaign to Preserve Cultural Heritage, by David Wigg, Foreword by His Highness The Aga Khan, #3 in the series of World Bank Development Essays, was sent by the World Bank to all US/ICOMOS members. Not a technical text for conservators, the informal essay provides an overview of the many issues faced by localities in dealing with the conflicting needs of development and stewardship. The publication also seeks to inform constituencies of the World Bank's attempts to protect the cultural heritage. Additional copies may be obtained from US/ICOMOS.

Tourism at World Heritage Cultural Sites: The Site Manager's Handbook, written by the ICOMOS International Committee on Cultural Tourism and produced by US/ICOMOS for the ICOMOS 10th General Assembly, has been reprinted. The publication will be available on October 15, 1994. Order from US/ICOMOS and include a $10 check for shipping and handling.

 

Calendar

Members attending these and other international programs should please inform US/ICOMOS of their participation.

 

  • October 11-13, 1994. Building Conservation International, along with many cosponsors, announces The Annual British Connection, a transatlantic exchange of ideas on the conservation of historic buildings. Lectures will be held in 3 cities, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm: New York, Tuesday, October 11; Philadelphia, Wednesday, October 12; and Washington, DC, Thursday, October 13. Speakers are Sir William Whitfield, CBE, FRIBA, leader of the restoration team of the Savoy Theatre, London; Max Fordham, Services Engineer, mechanical/electrical systems; and Dick Reid, Master Carver. Tax-deductible cost per person: $60 for nonmembers, $50 for members. Register by October 1. Contact: Building Conservation International, 1901 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, tel: 215-568-0923, fax: 215-568-4572.

     

  • October 13-14, 1994. International Conference on Risk Preparedness and the Cultural Heritage, organized under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS, ICOM and Foundation International Conference & Exhibition Restoration and Conservation Techniques, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This conference will focus on preparedness for the cultural heritage, for both man-made and natural disasters. It will examine risk preparedness schemes and the concept of an internationally supported Cultural Heritage at Risk Fund. Speakers will address advocacy and disaster plan training, selection and documentation and financial feasibility. Restoration 94, the international trade fair for restoration and conservation of cultural and industrial heritage, will be held October 12-14. Contact: Conference Secretariat, International Conference "Risk Preparedness," c/o Amsterdam RAI, OBA Professional Congress Organizer, P.O. Box 77777,1070 MS Amsterdam, The Netherlands, tel: 31-20-549-12-12, fax: 31-20-646-44-69.

     

  • October 16-19, 1994. The Role of Tourism in Preserving Nature and Cultural Heritage, the second conference of the Swiss-Indonesian Forum on Cultural and International Tourism, with the support of UNESCO, in Lausanne, Switzerland. The program includes papers by experts, indepth seminars, discussions and social events. For information, contact the Secretariat: Swiss National Tourist Office (SNTO), P.O. Box, Bellariastrasse 38, CH-8027 Zurich, tel: 41-1-288-11-11, fax: 41-1-288-12-05.

     

  • October 28-29, 1994. US/ICOMOS events at the 48th National Preservation Conference Preservation, Economics & Community Rebirth, of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Boston, Massachusetts.

     

  • January 11-14, 1995. The Future of Asia's Past: Preservation of Architectural Monuments in Asia, an international conference organized by The Asia Society, The Getty Conservation Institute and The Siam Society, in association with the World Monuments Fund, will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The meeting will bring together scholars, Asian government officials and policy makers, business developers, tourism officials and interested individuals to create an international network committed to cultural preservation in Asia, and to encourage a comprehensive approach to the management of the region's precious and increasingly endangered architectural heritage. Topics to be addressed include: cultural policy, the relationship between cultural preservation and economic development, the impact of modernization on architectural/cultural sites, and the relevance of art-historical scholarship to preservation policies. For information: The Asia Society Galleries, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, ATTN: Conservation 1995.

     

  • April 17-21, 1995. The 8th Conference on Research and Resource Management in Parks and on Public Lands, will be held on the subject, Sustainable Society and Protected Areas: Challenges and Issues for the Perpetuation of Cultural and Natural Resources, sponsored by The George Wright Society, in Portland, Oregon. The program will include papers and posters organized around topics of interest in protected area management and research. Subjects will address any discipline on research, interpretation and management issues. Contact: The George Wright Society, P.O. Box 65, Hancock, MI 49930-0065, tel: 906-4879722, fax: 906-487-9405.
US/ICOMOS SUPPORTS THE U S. NATIONAL CENTER FOR PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING