Preserving the historical mosaics of the archaeological site of Volubilis is on the agenda. A project in this direction was launched on the site by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, who was accompanied by the charge d’affaires of the United States Embassy in Morocco, David Greene.
This operation will focus on the restoration and preservation of mosaic panels housed in Volubilis, from the site of the ancient Roman city of Banasa, while allowing, in particular, to train local craftsmen in the restoration and preservation of mosaics. , the objective being to create sustainable means of income in the region.
The result of a collaboration between the United States Embassy and the Ifker Association for Education in the Environment and Sustainable Development, with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, this project is funded through the United States Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation to restore and preserve historic 2nd and 3rd century mosaics at Volubilis, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site and one of most popular tourist sites in Morocco.
This project, with a total cost of US$189,000, is financed by a special fund dedicated to the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Ambassadors Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, created by the United States Congress in 2001 to preserve a wide range of cultural heritage around the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Mehdi Bensaid noted that the tourist site of Volubilis is “a living example of the material and immaterial heritage of the Kingdom”, and the government attaches particular interest to the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage and national history.
Stressing the need to strengthen investment in the cultural sector to promote cultural tourism and the history of the Kingdom, the Minister pleaded for the enhancement of national heritage through partnerships with public establishments, regions and local authorities, besides foreign countries.
David Greene, for his part, noted that this project is an example of the ongoing partnership between the government of his country and the Moroccan government, represented by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, and civil society in the region.
It tends to contribute to the rehabilitation of cultural heritage, in particular the magnificent and famous mosaic of the site of volubilis, he added.
It should be noted that the project will rely on the partnership of the “Ifker” association for Environmental Education and Sustainable Development, with the “Getty Conservation Institute Mosaikon”, based in California, an initiative aimed at improve the conservation, presentation and management of mosaics in the Mediterranean region.
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