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UAE participates in UNESCO’s 41st General Conference

UAE participates in UNESCO's 41st General Conference

The UAE delegation to the UNESCO General Conference is led by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, who will deliver the country’s speech on Saturday morning…reports Asian Lite News

The United Arab Emirates is participating in the 41st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which this year coincides with the 75th anniversary of the UN’s cultural agency. The session started officially yesterday at Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Conference Hall here and will continue until November 24th.

UAE participates in UNESCO’s 41st General Conference

The UAE delegation to the UNESCO General Conference is led by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, who will deliver the country’s speech on Saturday morning.

The minister participated in yesterday’s session, which saw the re-election of Audrey Azoulay as Director-General of UNESCO for a second four-year term.

Azoulay was first elected Director-General of UNESCO in 2017, and was the only candidate for this new mandate, with 155 votes in favour, 9 against and one abstention.

Al Kaabi congratulated Azoulay for her victory. “Congratulations to @AAzoulay on the trust of the international community & getting re-elected as Director-General of UNESCO for the period 2022-2025. We wish her continued success & look forward to new cooperative partnerships,” Al Kaabi tweeted.

The Minister also congratulated the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for being officially designated as the ‘City of Music’ by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

ALSO READ: UAE Rulers attend weddings of 150 Emirati couple

“We congratulate the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The designation of “The City of Music” corroborates the emirate’s successful strategy in developing cultural and creative industries.

The UAE is set to participate in a number of UNESCO activities and sessions, foremost of which is the High-Level Segment of the Global Education Meeting 2021 which aims to discuss an improved global education cooperation mechanism and take stock of measures and lessons learned from the COVID-19 education response to accelerate progress toward SDG 4 as well as regional benchmarks.

The 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference discusses several issues, primarily the UNESCO’s budget and strategy for the coming years.

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Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO

Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO

The ‘City of Music’ designation will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as the home of a resilient and growing music ecosystem…reports Asian Lite News

Abu Dhabi has been officially designated as a ‘City of Music’ by the UNESCO Creative City Network.

The designation was announced on 8th November by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Creative City Network, an initiative launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities which recognise creativity as a major factor in their sustainable urban development plans.

Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO

Abu Dhabi has long prioritised culture and creativity as essential drivers of social development and economic diversification, constantly fostering meaningful forms of expression and identity that embody and shape people-centered, sustainable development. Music is one of the culture and creative industries domains which has seen significant levels of support. The UAE capital has always been at the crossroads of the Arab world, Asia, Africa, and Europe, and this legacy of openness and cultural exchange supports the vision to grow a music sector fostering inclusion and identity across communities and generations.

The ‘City of Music’ designation will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as the home of a resilient and growing music ecosystem that is built on innovation, collaboration, and shared governance. The emirate now sits alongside cities such as Liverpool in the UK, Auckland in New Zealand, Sevilla in Spain and Chennai in India as focal points for music creativity as drivers of sustainable development plans.

Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO

Abu Dhabi has a rich heritage in traditional music and performance, and a thriving contemporary music scene. Today, the emirate is home to some 200 nationalities, each with their own culture and diverse forms of musical expression. Abu Dhabi’s five-year cultural strategy, implemented by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), aims to draw more attention to this musical diversity, to utilise music in public spaces to enhance liveability and sense of place, as well as to find ways of leveraging music as a tool for connecting older and younger generations.

“From traditional sung poetry performances and ancient instruments to our modern music scene, Abu Dhabi has a unique musical legacy. We celebrate our past while remaining open to new sources and genres of musical expression, fusing the traditional and the contemporary to bridge cultures and generations. By highlighting and nurturing the incredible depth of music diversity and talent in the emirate today, we are ensuring that music remains a fundamental element in the cultural life of the Abu Dhabi community,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.

“Abu Dhabi is a culturally diverse, globally minded city, a place where policies and cultural initiatives ensure that creativity and culture drive sustainable urban development. We are thrilled to have our efforts recognised by the UNESCO Creative City Network, and hope that Abu Dhabi’s status as a ‘City of Music’ will serve to further contribute to a superior quality of life in the emirate.”

Torchbearers of the Abu Dhabi music scene include Bait Al Oud, a homegrown academy which plays an essential role in documenting and promoting Arab music heritage, and Abu Dhabi Classics, the annual concert series paying tribute to classical music. Alongside the important music programmes of the Cultural Foundation are those of Abu Dhabi’s many cultural organisations such as the longstanding Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), which among its many activities supports aspiring talents and musicians and hosts a renowned yearly music festival, a mainstay of the emirate’s cultural calendar.

Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO

Berklee Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s preeminent institute of contemporary music and performing arts, and New York University Abu Dhabi’s Arts Center and Music Programme, have both been leveraging the accelerating popularity of local and regional music – the fastest growing segment of the global music industry – through the production and commissioning of new talent.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi Unveils Net Zero Action Plan

With the UNESCO Creative City Network designation, Abu Dhabi joins the nearly 250 cities around the globe which currently work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and the culture and creative industries at the heart of their development plans and cooperating actively with key players from the music industry across the world.

The designation as a UNESCO City of Music will allow Abu Dhabi to continue its cultural mission of expanding the music sector as part of the commitment to grow the culture and creative industries, which is a cultural and economic priority for Abu Dhabi. This includes contributing to job creation and economic diversification, supporting the development of the local music scene and recording industry, and increasing music contribution to the film, television, and gaming sectors.

  • Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO
  • Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO
  • Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO
  • Abu Dhabi Named ‘City of Music’ by UNESCO
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UNESCO Designates Srinagar as ‘Creative City’

PM Narendra Modi said it is fitting recognition for the vibrant cultural ethos of Srinagar, reports Asian Lite News

In a major recognition of the crafts and arts of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar has joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) 2021, under the Crafts and Folk Arts category.

The inclusion of Srinagar in the creative city network for the arts and crafts has paved a way for the city to represent its handicrafts on the global stage through UNESCO.

This was announced on UNESCO’s official website wherein 49 cities have joined this elite list. The exercise for UNESCO nomination was started by Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 however our nomination was not accepted then.

This year the exercise of Dossier preparation began in the month of May. The government of India Ministry of Culture received four nominations which included Two from Madhya Pradesh Gwalior and Indore and one from West Bengal (Calcutta ) and one from Jammu and Kashmir (Srinagar).

Srinagar
Houseboats and ‘shikaras’ anchored on the banks of Dal Lake, in Srinagar.(Photo: IANS)

The government of India rejected the application of Calcutta and Indore and forwarded only two nominations which included Srinagar and Gwalior. The Centre recommended the nomination of Gwalior for the Creative City of Music and Srinagar for the Creative City of Craft and Folk arts to UNESCO on June 29, 2021.

The nomination of Gwalior was rejected and that of Srinagar was accepted. This nomination is the global recognition of the rich craft legacy of Srinagar and will help us in attracting Craft Connoisseurs to Jammu and Kashmir and particularly Srinagar.

The UNESCO creative city network involves seven creative fields arts and folk art, media, film, literature, design, gastronomy and Media arts.

The dossier for nomination for Srinagar as the Creative city was first filed by Srinagar in the year 2019, however, only 2 cities, Hyderabad for Gastronomy and Mumbai for Film were chosen during that year.

Prior to the year 2019, only three Indian cities have been recognised as members of UCCN for creative cities namely, Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Arts) in 2015, Varanasi (Creative city of Music) in 2015 and Chennai (Creative city of Music) in 2017. For the year 2020 UNESCO did not call for applications for creative city network.

A Man pluck damage Apple from tree after Fresh snowfall from last night at Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir (Photo: Nisar Malik /IANS)

Chief Executive Officer, Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project, JKERA, Dr Abid Rashid Shah, said that process of nomination of Srinagar under the UNESCO Creative City Network was undertaken and funded under the World Bank Funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project. This is the recognition of the historical Crafts and Arts of the City.

“It is a proud moment for all of us. World Bank, Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) and Department of Industries did a remarkable job in projecting the city in this regard,” said Dr Shah.

Director, Technical, Planning and Coordination, JTFRP, Iftikhaar Hakeem, said that credit must go to JTFRP, Department of Industries and line departments for taking up the task positively. He said consultants were hired and work was taken up in this regard to fulfilling all the requirements.

Modi congratulates people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for Srinagar joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network with a special mention for its craft and folk art.

He said it is fitting recognition for the vibrant cultural ethos of Srinagar.
“Delighted that beautiful Srinagar joins the @UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) with a special mention for its craft and folk art. It is a fitting recognition for the vibrant cultural ethos of Srinagar. Congratulations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that the decision was ultimate recognition for artisans and weavers of Jammu and Kashmir.
He extended congratulations to entire J-K team including Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu and Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation Athar Aamir Khan.

“Srinagar included in @UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the crafts &folk art category. It is ultimate recognition for artisans & weavers of J&K. Congratulations to entire J&K team, @Junaid_Mattu Ji, @AtharAamirKhan & thanks to @EduMinOfIndia, @MinOfCultureGoI for all the support,” he said.

Sinha said that Prime Minister had always given special priority to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Grateful to Hon’ble PM @narendramodi for always giving special priority to J&K. Dossier of exceptionally rich art & craft legacy of Srinagar was meticulously prepared & submitted in June this year by @SMC_Srinagar with help of Kashmir INTACH,” he said. (ANI)

ALSO READ – Govt declares Srinagar airport as ‘major airport’

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Events Sharjah UAE News

Sharjah hosts 16 UNESCO World Book Capitals

Sharjah hosts 16 UNESCO World Book Capitals

Members of the World Book Capital Cities Network convene at the House of Wisdom to discuss strategies to build on their legacy and inspire others…reports Asian Lite News

Sharjah, the 2019 UNESCO World Book Capital, has hosted representatives from most of the UNESCO-designated World Book Capital cities to reflect on their individual stories and discuss strategies to strengthen their legacy while sharing their experiences with future holders of the status.

Sharjah hosts 16 UNESCO World Book Capitals

At the preliminary meeting of the Expert Group of the World Book Capital Cities Network, the emirate hosted 16 World Book Capital cities including Guadalajara, the 2022 World Book Capital, at the House of Wisdom – a futurist cultural hub built to commemorate the UNESCO honour to Sharjah.

Discussions centered on the network’s mission and strategic objectives, that is, to strengthen cooperation and develop knowledge sharing and good practices among members of the network, as well as strengthen the cities’ commitment to promoting books and reading particularly in the wake of the global pandemic, which hit the book sector severely. This network, alongside the Cities for Literature (part of the Creative Cities Network) highlights UNESCO’s commitment to authors’ creativity, books and reading.

Sharjah hosts 16 UNESCO World Book Capitals

Welcoming the guests, IPA President Bodour Al Qasimi, stated that the 2019 title had not only reinforced the emirate’s status as a regional cultural hub, but positively impacted the development of its book industry and reading culture.

She added that the power and beauty of being a WBC city is that such positive benefits last for years to come and offer a chance to reinforce social cohesion through books, and promote cultural dialogue.

Expressing her pleasure in hosting the first meeting of the World Book Capital Network, Al Qasimi called on all previous WBC cities to collaborate and stay connected to improve the impact of the prestigious title and enhance the positive benefits it brings to the industry.

Sharjah hosts 16 UNESCO World Book Capitals

“A strong network that builds on the momentum of the WBC honor will benefit cities and future generations through the exchange of ideas on the legacy of the title,” Al Qasimi added.

IAN DENISON, WBC PROGRAMME COORDINATOR: “Strong motivation exists amongst the World Book Capital cities to show solidarity with other cities wishing to rise to the challenge of becoming a UNESCO-designated city. Cooperation within the new network will help provide other cities with access to sources of knowledge and best practices.”

Alongside the networking event, an open design exhibition organised at the House of Wisdom drew further attention to the unique footprints and literary legacies of the 22 WBC cities. An installation featuring a cloud of pages cascading down in different languages was a main highlight, along with large panels depicting the achievements of the former WBC cities, including Sharjah. The installation stood as a strong symbol of knowledge and ideas and the impact of the written word in forging cultural connections.

IPA hosted its 125th anniversary celebrations on the sidelines of the networking event.

ALSO READ: Puri Opens India Stand at Sharjah Book Fair

Earlier in September, the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, named Accra (Ghana) as UNESCO World Book Capital for 2023, for its strong focus on young people and their potential to contribute to the culture and wealth of Ghana.

Since 2001, the UNESCO World Book Capital’s Advisory Panel, which comprises representatives from the International Authors Forum, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the International Publishers Association and UNESCO, has been selecting a World Book Capital every year, where the title is awarded to the city, which shows continued excellence in charting a cultural programme of activities throughout the year to promote reading and books focusing on grassroot community involvement.

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany

The 400-kilometre section of the ancient Roman border fortifications runs along the North Rhine-Westphalia to Katwijk Rhineland-Palatinate through the Dutch North Sea coast…writes Siddhi Jain.

Germany’s rich cultural heritage has been further recognised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), after seven new locations in the country were awarded World Heritage Site status during the 44th UNESCO meeting in China. With the updated official UNESCO list counting more than 1,000 sites in 167 countries around the world, Germany now boasts 51 recognised World Heritage Sites, the third-highest of any nation globally after Italy (58) and China (56).

Germany’s World Heritage Sites comprise three natural locations and 48 cultural locations. As a key destination to experience natural and cultural treasures, Indian visitors can discover a plethora of diverse World Heritage Sites along eight routes in Germany, which begin and end near international airports, making them easily accessible from regional gateways. Due to their uniqueness and authenticity, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany are considered significant for humanity therefore under special protection.

Mathildenhohe artists’ colony in Darmstadt

Founded in 1899 by the Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, Mathildenhohe artists’ colony has been noted as a historic centre of modern-day architecture and art in Europe. Prior to the turn of the century, aspiring architects and artists had the opportunity to turn their ideas into experimentation, inspiring what is now known as the Bauhaus art movement. The infamous location includes a wedding tower designed by the architect Joseph-Maria Olbrich, seen as a landmark of the city and an excellent vantage point over the RhineMain plain.

The Lower Germanic Limes

The 400-kilometre section of the ancient Roman border fortifications runs along the North Rhine-Westphalia to Katwijk Rhineland-Palatinate through the Dutch North Sea coast. The Lower Germanic Limes is now noted as a World Heritage Site as part of the ‘Borders of the Roman Empire’ series. The river formed a natural border between the Roman province, where life across 44 towns, forts, legionary camps and temples formed the roots of today’s large cities, including Bonn and Cologne.

The Danube Limes

The Danube Limes follow the course of the Danube River from what is known today as Bad Gogging in Bavaria, through Austria and Slovakia. As the second-longest river in Europe, the Roman military frontiers stretch approximately 600-kilometre and has contributed to the development of the cultural landscape. Parts of the earlier facilities are still visible today and are carefully developed for tourists to visit, the archaeological sites ‘document niedermunster’ and the ‘Porta Praetoria’ in Regensburg are key examples of popular destinations.

Significant spa towns in Europe

With European spa culture peaking between the 1700 and the 1930s, Germany’s abundant spa towns around mineral springs have far more than historic and medical significance; these major urban developments created an architectural framework for recreation, cultural and social life. Not only have the German spa towns of Baden-Baden, Bad Ems and Bad Kissingen been recognised by UNESCO, eight additional European spa towns have been awarded listings Germany began welcoming European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved, fully vaccinated travellers on June 25. All travellers are advised to check individual German states entry requirements before travel.

ALSO READ-Now, India has 40 sites on Unesco World Heritage list

READ MORE-Hima listed as Saudi Arabia’s sixth UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Arab News Dubai Events

Winners of the Voices of Future Generations awarded in Dubai

Voices of Future Generations_Winners_ENG

The best entries are published in a book in Arabic and English and shared internationally…reports Asian Lite News

The 2021 winners of the Middle East edition of the Voices of Future Generations, the inspiring global writing competition for children, were announced at an award ceremony at the Zabeel Ladies Club, Dubai.

The unique writing initiative, launched under the patronage of UNESCO in 2015 and brought to the Middle East in 2019, was created to promote sustainability awareness and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Voices of Future Generations_Winners_ENG

The regional competition is organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation on behalf of HH Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Goodwill Ambassador for the initiative for the Middle East Region, who commented: “I am so glad to see how this competition has helped so many children understand the impact we have on our planet and how it has inspired them to creatively find solutions for our environment through sustainable development goals.”

The initiative’s sister organisation Roots & Shoots UAE congratulated the children, with its Goodwill Ambassador for the region, HH Sheikha Maytha bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum saying: “Caring for our planet is the most important task for future generations. Initiatives like ours are designed to help them begin that process and instil in the children the knowledge that they can make a difference.”  

ALSO READ: Dubai cares builds a school in Nepal

Children and their parents and teachers were delighted with a surprise greeting from the world’s leading primatologist, Dr Jane Goodall, the founder of Roots & Shoots, as well as World Slam Poetry Champion Harry Baker, who performed a new poem about the Sustainable Development Goals together with Emirati slam poetry favourite, Dr Afra Atiq.

The competition, for children aged 8 to 12, encourages children to write adventure stories about characters overcoming challenges and creating a more tolerant, sustainable world. The best entries are published in a book in Arabic and English and shared internationally. More than 900 entries were received in the 2021 round of the competition, a year-on-year increase of 50 per cent.

New for this year is The Gifted Writers’ Programme, a talent development programme in which the judges identify up to 50 strong writers from the submissions, who will be offered extra coaching from professional editors and the option to resubmit their stories in the coming cycle. 

Voices of Future Generations_Winners_ENG

The winners are:

Winners in the Arabic category:

1. Moza and The Ghaf Tree, Abdulla Ismail Abushabab, Crescent International School Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi

2. Safa and the Angry Sea, Seba Awadh Mohammed Almusad, Buthaina bint Noman Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

3. What’s Behind the Village Mystery, Mezna Najeeb, Al Alfia Primary School for Girls, Dubai

Winners in the English category:

  1. The Beacon, Abrar Sirohey, DUNEHA Group (Dubai & Northern Emirates Homeschool Association), Dubai

2. Sahana and Food Sustainability, Kripa Dixit, Uptown International School, Dubai

3. Inspiration to Desperation, Inayah Fathima Faeez, Gems United Indian School, Abu Dhabi

ISOBEL ABULHOUL, CEO, AND TRUSTEE OF THE EMIRATES LITERATURE FOUNDATION: “We are so proud to be part of this initiative. Children are the future, and the planet is theirs to inherit. Stories can, and frequently do, change the world, so this is the perfect way for so many children to channel all their passion and talent into building a better tomorrow.”

The competition is open to children aged 8-12, writing for children aged 6 and above. All entries must be between 600-1,500 words long, in Arabic or English. The stories should feature one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the writer’s hopes, dreams or aspirations for a sustainable future. Entries are open to all children resident in the Gulf region and in full-time education, including those home schooling. Registrations for the third year are now open and the competition will close in the first half of 2022.

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-Top News Education World News

UNESCO: Will ensure Right To Education for all Afghans

UNESCO will spare no efforts to support all Afghans to ensure their right to education, the agency said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News.

Amid the rapidly evolving events in Afghanistan, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has declared that “the fundamental right to education for all, in particular for girls and women, must continue unhindered”.

UNESCO will spare no efforts to support all Afghans to ensure their right to education, the agency said in a statement.

“Education is a fundamental human right indispensable for the exercise of other human rights and for the development of Afghanistan. It is even more so at this critical time. UNESCO calls on all to guarantee the right to education without any discrimination. Students, teachers and education personnel must have access to safe educational environments, including girls and women, who have to continue learning and teaching without any restrictions,” said Azoulay.

“The enormous progress made in the country including in education must not be lost. Education must continue for girls and women. The future of Afghanistan depends on them”, added the Director-General.

UNESCO has provided technical assistance to strengthen education in Afghanistan since 1948, according to a statement.

Through its office in Kabul, UNESCO has invested in education policy especially for girls’ education, with the largest literacy campaign in the history of the Organisation which has reached 1.2 million Afghans, including 800,000 women.

More recently UNESCO has been supporting efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping the education system to promote a safe return to school, especially for girls.

Cultural heritage

The UN cultural agency has called for the preservation of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage in its diversity and in full respect of international law.

This statement comes a few days after the Taliban blew up slain Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari’s statue in Bamiyan, a grim reminder of the destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001.

“Afghanistan is home to a wide range of rich and diverse heritage, which is an integral part of Afghan history and identity, as well as of importance for humanity as a whole, that must be safeguarded,” the UNESCO statement said.

This includes sites such as the Old City of Herat, the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam and the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, as well as museums like the National Museum in Kabul.

Amid the rapidly unfolding events, UNESCO is closely following the situation on the ground and is committed to exercising all possible efforts to safeguard the invaluable cultural heritage of the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the UN agency said that any damage or loss of cultural heritage will only have adverse consequences on the prospects for lasting peace and humanitarian relief for the people of Afghanistan.

UNESCO further underlined the need for a safe environment for the ongoing work of the country’s cultural heritage professionals and artists.

It is crucial for the future of Afghanistan to safeguard and preserve these landmarks, the statement added. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Blinken discusses Afghan situation with Jaishankar again

READ MORE-Germany offers $11.7mn for Afghan people support programme

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Welsh Slate Landscape UK’s newest World Heritage Site

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, which runs through Gwynedd, became the world leader for the production and export of slate in the 1800s…reports Asian Lite News.

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales has become the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been granted the accolade at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee.

The landscape has become the UK’s 33rd UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the 4th in Wales, following the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape and the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.

The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, which runs through Gwynedd, became the world leader for the production and export of slate in the 1800s.

Slate has been quarried in the area for over 1,800 years and had been used to build parts of the Roman fort in Segontium in Caernarfon and Edward I’s castle in Conwy, however it wasn’t until the industrial revolution that demand surged as cities across the world expanded with slate from the mines at Gwynedd being widely used to roof workers’ homes, public buildings, places of worship and factories.

By the 1890s the Welsh slate industry employed approximately 17,000 workers and produced almost 500,000 tonnes of slate a year, around a third of all roofing slate used in the world in the late 19th century.

The industry had a huge impact on global architecture with Welsh slate used on a number of buildings, terraces and palaces across the globe including Westminster Hall in London’s Houses of Parliament, the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, Australia and Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark. In 1830, half the buildings in New York had roofs made of Welsh slate.

Centuries of mining in the area transformed the landscape on a monumental scale with the inscription reflecting the important role this region played in ‘roofing the 19th century world’.

“UNESCO World Heritage Status is a huge achievement and testament to the importance this region played in the industrial revolution and Wales’ slate mining heritage,” UK Government Heritage Minister Caroline Dinenage said in a statement.

“I welcome the prospect of increased investment, jobs and a better understanding of this stunning part of the UK,” the minister added.

The City of Bath – originally inscribed on the Word Heritage List in 1987 – has also been awarded a dual designation as part of the Great Spas of Europe.

A transnational nomination, Bath, along with 11 other European spa towns including Baden-Baden in Germany and Vichy in France, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List for the second time, becoming only the second place in the UK with a double UNESCO listing.

The 11 towns making up the nomination are all mineral water sources. While Bath has been famous as a spa town since the Roman period, other nominations represent the heyday of European spa towns from around 1700 to the 1930s.

“We are pleased to see both the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales and the city of Bath being recognised in the UNESCO World Heritage List,” Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said.

“Beautiful Bath thoroughly deserves its rare double World Heritage Site listing. From its Roman remains to its stunning Georgian architecture, Bath is a city which has captivated residents and visitors for centuries. Being inscribed, along with ten other European Spa Towns, as a joint World Heritage Site demonstrates Bath’s importance as one of the earliest and most significant “Great Spas” and we are delighted to have worked alongside international colleagues to make Bath’s joint inscription a reality.”

ALSO READ-Welsh first Minister joins the Diwali event in Cardiff

READ MORE-Now, India has 40 sites on Unesco World Heritage list

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Now, India has 40 sites on Unesco World Heritage list

India has now joined the list of countries with 40 or more World Heritage sites which includes Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France…reports Asian Lite News.

Dholavira, a Harappan-era metropolis situated in Gujarat, has been accorded the World Heritage tag by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The site, which was on UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014, is one of the very few well preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE.

It is the 6th largest of more than 1,000 Harappan sites discovered so far and is an exceptional example of a proto-historic Bronze Age urban settlement.

India has now joined the list of countries with 40 or more World Heritage sites which includes Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France.

“Dholavira: A Harappan City, in India, just inscribed on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List. Congratulations!” UNESCO tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Absolutely delighted by this news.Dholavira was an important urban centre and is one of our most important linkages with our past. It is a must visit, especially for those interested in history, culture and archaeology.”

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy tweeted, “Another feather in India’s cap as we now enter the Super-40 club for World Heritage Site inscriptions”.

Gujarat so far had three world heritage sites – Champaner near Pavagadh, Rani ki Vav in Patan and the historic city of Ahmedabad.

India has added 10 new world Heritage sites since 2014.

With this successful nomination, India now has 32 cultural, 7 natural and one mixed category UNESCO World Heritage property.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Dholavira not only witnesses the entire trajectory of the rise and fall of this early civilization of humankind, but also demonstrates its multifaceted achievements in terms of urban planning, construction techniques, water management, social governance and development, art, manufacturing, trading, and belief system.

With extremely rich artefacts, the well preserved urban settlement of Dholavira depicts a vivid picture of a regional centre with its distinct characteristics that also contributes significantly to the existing knowledge of Harappan Civilization as a whole.

The property comprises two parts: a walled city and a cemetery to the west of the city. The walled city consists of a fortified Castle with attached fortified Bailey and Ceremonial Ground, and a fortified Middle Town and a Lower Town. A series of reservoirs are found to the east and south of the Citadel. The great majority of the burials in the Cemetery are memorial in nature.

The configuration of the city of Dholavira, during its heyday, is an outstanding example of planned city with planned and segregated urban residential areas based on possibly differential occupational activities, and a stratified society.

Telangana’s Ramappa temple is India’s 39th World Heritage Site

The 13th Century Rudreswara Temple, also known as Ramappa Temple, in the state of Telangana has been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list.

This is India’s 39th such heritage to be inscribed on the prestigious list.

The decision was taken at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on Sunday.

Ramappa temple, a 13th century engineering marvel named after its architect, Ramappa, was proposed by the government as its only nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage site tag for the year 2019.

The Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) G Kishan Reddy thanked PM Modi for his guidance and support.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO could not be conducted in 2020 and the nominations for 2020 and those for 2021 were discussed in a series of online meetings that are currently underway.

The discussion on Ramappa Temple took place on Sunday.

There were 21 members in the World Heritage Committee with China currently as the Chair of the Committee.

The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva.

The presiding deity here is Ramalingeswara Swamy. It is also known as the Ramappa temple, after the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years.

The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor. The Ramappa Temple is a manifestation of this and often stands as a testimonial to the Kakatiyan creative genius.

The temple stands on a 6-feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.

The sculptural art and decoration specific to the time and Kakatiyan Empire have an outstanding universal value. The distinct style of Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to this region confirm the highly evolved proportions of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India.

European merchants and travelers were mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and one such traveler had remarked that the temple was the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan”. (India News Network)

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First heritage site from Telangana gets coveted UNESCO tag

It was in 2014 that Ramappa temple was nominated for the inscription. A team of UNESCO officials had inspected the temple in 2019…reports Asian Lite News.

The UNESCO World Heritage site status to Ramappa temple has come as the first global recognition of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of Telangana, India’s youngest state.

Also known as Rudreswara temple, this Kakatiyan architectural marvel is located at Palampet in Mulugu district near Warangal, about 200 km from Hyderabad.

“Today, because of a historic decision taken at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, Ramappa temple now belongs to the whole world, to the entire humanity. I congratulate the people of Palampet,” India’s representative at the online session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) said, expressing excitement over the inclusion of the temple among the list of World Heritage sites.

Seventeen countries including Russia, Oman, Brazil, Saudi, Egypt, Spain, Thailand, Hungary, Ethiopia and China described Ramappa as an outstanding heritage site and a manifestation of the master of human geniuses at the session.

Ramappa temple is the 39th site in India and the first in Telangana to get the coveted tag. This comes as the first major success of Telangana to get global recognition for its cultural heritage after attaining statehood seven years ago.

It was in 2014 that Ramappa temple was nominated for the inscription. A team of UNESCO officials had inspected the temple in 2019.

Last year, it was one of the global sites nominated for the coveted tag but the WHC meeting could not take place due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Ramappa Temple emple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. The presiding deity here is Ramalingeswara Swamy. The temple became famous with the name sculptor Ramappa who executed the work for 40 years.

The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor. The Ramappa temple is a manifestation of this and often stands as a testimonial to the Kakatiyan creative genius.

The temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.

The sculptural art and decoration specific to the time and Kakatiyan Empire have an outstanding universal value. The distinct style of Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to this region confirm the highly evolved proportions of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India.

European merchants and travelers were mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and one such traveler had remarked that the temple was the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan”.

According to B.V. Papa Rao of Kakatiya Heritage Trust, which led the effort to get UNESCO tag, India had reached to 24 countries to inscribe Ramappa temple as World Heritage site. The countries were presented documents to show the importance of the site.

The Telangana government had also taken steps to conform to the demands made by the WHC in their agenda papers.

Two days ago, the state government announced that it is initiating formation of a management committee at the state level and Palampet Special Development Authority at the local level for adequate legal protection to the temple and to ensure regulated development by appropriately zoning areas near the temple.

Minister for tourism and culture V. Srinivas Goud stated that these steps will ensure that serenity and natural beauty of the surroundings of the temple are maintained. He announced that two temples near Ramappa will also be brought under the jurisdiction of Ramappa temple property as recommended by the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

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