Living Heritage

Mission

To preserve and employ Syria’s cultural heritage as a positive force in its social development and the regeneration of its communities.

Living Heritage was conceived as a means of safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage by making it an active feature of community development. The programme oversees the restoration of historical national landmarks, archaeological monuments and heritage sites. At the community level, its projects enhance surrounding localities by supporting creative industries, and reviving local knowledge, traditions, and craftsmanship. Publications by Living Heritage cultural experts document old cultural traditions and encourage the exchange of experiences from the field, as well as promote the cultural literacy of younger generations so they continue to live and contribute to the legacy they have inherited across millennia. To date, Living Heritage has documented 100 intangible cultural heritage elements in Syria and continues to play an instrumental role in building a more comprehensive legal framework for the safeguarding of Syria’s cultural heritage.