Heritage Changes: A Look Back at the 2023 IDMS Events

On 18 April 2023, the world celebrated the International Day for Monuments and Sites with the theme ‘Heritage Changes’.

This annual event, established by ICOMOS in 1982, provides an opportunity for heritage enthusiasts and organisations worldwide to come together and celebrate the importance of cultural heritage.

Contributions on Instagram by the ICOMOS Working Group OCD-RBA, ICOMOS Argentina, ICOMOS Macedonia, ICOMOS Iran, ICOMOS Panama and ICOMOS Italy

18 April 2023 on Social Media

ICOMOS used social media to share highlights of events and activities organised by its committees, members and partners around the world via the hashtags #18April #ICOMOS #HeritageChanges #heritage4climate #IDMS2023 #icomosIDMS2023. Virtual tours of historic sites, lectures and discussions on the role of cultural heritage in promoting climate resilience, community-led initiatives demonstrating the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in addressing climate change were organised to celebrate IDMS.

Highlights of 18 April Events

The celebration of IDMS 2023 included a variety of events and activities organised by ICOMOS, its partners and heritage enthusiasts worldwide. One of the key aspects of this year’s IDMS theme was the integration of traditional, historic building conservation, adaptive reuse and energy efficiency of heritage buildings and landscapes. Innovative infrastructure development was also presented, showing how traditional knowledge, practices and cultural heritage can be part of the solution to fight climate change.

Below is a non-exhaustive selection of 18 April 2023 events and publications.

Scientific student conference with The National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia and Chair of Theory and History of Architecture and Heritage

People sitting around an oval table
Photo credits: ICOMOS Armenia

Visit of the Serapeum of Alexandria + discussion sessions, visit of the Museum of Fine Arts + panel discussion, seminar.

Group of around 50 people standing and holding a banner with "heritage changes, discussing responsibility, IDMS 2023 Egypt" written on it.
Photo credits: Hamdy EL-Setouhy

Presentation by Geographer and Consultant in Environmental Issues Irakli Kobulia, panel discussion and documentary film screening

People sitting around a table
Photo credits: ICOMOS Georgia

‘Second socialist modernism’ (from 1955 until 1990) workshop and guided tours of monuments and sites of Eastern Modernism in Berlin-Brandenburg.

Group of people standing in front of a yellow building
Photo credits : Dörthe Hellmuth - ICOMOS GERMANY

Publication of ‘Resilient and Sustainable Development of Historic Areas and Precincts: Focus West Bengal’

5 events and contributions

Series of events comprising site tours, roundtables on cultural heritage and volunteering, collaborative competition of cultural heritage knowledge, creation and editing of graphic promotion materials, vlog shooting and production.

Group of 37 people smiling at the camera, standing or crouching, some of them are holding signs. They are standing in front of a building.
Photo credits: International Conservation Center - Xi'an

Guided tours at UNESCO World Heritage Al Zubarah Archaeological Site accompanied by experts in archaeology, heritage protection, and conservation

5 people standing facing the camera, in the background is a earthen building
Photo credits : Qatar Museums

Open-debate and meeting with Dr Ridha Mejri to discuss the symbiosis between the traditional house and its natural environment

People sitting on chairs in a circle in front of a wall decorated with mosaic tiles
Photo credits: ICOMOS Tunisia

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