This conservation project marks the first collaborative initiative in Ghadames involving local, national, and international partners since the site was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list. It has established a visiting centre and a cultural hub that highlights the significance of both the tangible and intangible heritage of the Old Town. Our work not only restored the building but also documented the restoration process, associated skills, and traditional techniques, while incorporating modern, innovative technologies.
Dr Hiba Alkhalaf, Department of Classics
17 December 2024
King's MaLiCH Project wins ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Preservation and Protection in the Arab Region
The MaLiCH: Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage project works on safeguarding Libya's rich cultural heritage under challenging circumstances.
MaLiCH: Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage from the Department of Classics was nominated for the ICCROM-Sharjah Award in October 2024. This recognition celebrates the team's project- Restoring Ghadames: Creation of the Visitor Centre project - a groundbreaking initiative that addresses critical challenges in cultural heritage protection, architectural conservation, and sustainable management.
The project focuses on preserving the historic Old Town of Ghadames, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through new conservation approaches including traditional mud-building and using technology for the restoration and rehabilitation of a partially demolished historic building.
The award was presented by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, along with ICCROM Director-General Ms Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral and Mr Nasir Aldarmaki, Deputy Manager of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah.
Out of 51 entries submitted from across the Arab region, MaLiCH was shortlisted alongside 17 other projects. The winners were announced following an intensive two-day presentation and evaluation process in Sharjah. The jury commended MaLiCH as a 'comprehensive initiative that emphasises community cooperation, capacity building, and the practical and sustainable management of cultural heritage for the benefit of local communities.'
The project is a collaboration, led by King's Department of Classics (Dr Will Wootton and Dr Hiba Alkhalaf) in partnership with the Ghadames City Promotion and Development Authority (GCPDA), the Libyan Department of Antiquities (DoA), Nile Palace NGO in Cairo, the Permanent Libyan Delegation to UNESCO in Paris (PLD), and the Society for Libyan Studies (SLS) in the UK. The initiative is funded by ALIPH - International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas.
The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) Regional Centre in Sharjah awards aim to highlight the good practices in conservation and management of cultural heritage in terms of technical skills employed, as well as social and economic impacts of the project on local communities.
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Postdoctoral Research Associate
Reader in Classical Art and Archaeology