ICCROM celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the IXth Mediterranean Exchange for Archaeological Tourism in Paestum, Italy. The ceremony marked the fiftieth anniversary of the passing at the 1956 General Conference of UNESCO held in New Delhi, India, of Resolution 4.15, the resolution that led to the founding of ICCROM as an intergovernmental organization.

The event was attended by diplomats from many of ICCROM’s Member States, international institutions such as UNESCO and ALECSO, representatives of national and regional institutions in Italy, the ICCROM Council, and past and present members of ICCROM staff including three of the former Directors General.

Mr Ugo Picarelli, Director of the Mediterranean Exchange for Archaeological Tourism, opened proceedings by welcoming everyone to Paestum. The Director-General of ICCROM, Mr Mounir Bouchenaki, expressed thanks to the Exchange for hosting the celebrations. He noted that the celebrations had a dual significance and were an opportunity to reflect both on the past achievements of ICCROM and on the challenges that cultural heritage will face over the next fifty years. Mr Angelo Villani, President of the Province of Salerno, welcomed the presence of ICCROM as evidence that the Exchange was becoming truly international, with an appeal that extended beyond the countries of the Mediterranean. Mr Francesco Scoppola, representing MiBAC (Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Italy) affirmed support for ICCROM and announced that the Italian government is providing ICCROM with a new headquarters in Rome, based in the convent of San Francesco a Ripa, close to the current location. UNESCO was a key player in setting up ICCROM and Mr Francesco Bandarin, the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, noted that ICCROM had established itself as a global centre of excellence in training and as a centre for documentation, highlighting in particular the quality and breadth of the holdings in the ICCROM library.

Mr Blain Cliver, President of ICCROM Council underlined the worldwide influence of ICCROM, through the establishment of teaching centres in Africa, and continuing courses in Asia.  Mr Charles Costain and Mr Abdelaziz Daoulatli, former Presidents of Council, noted the balance created through the years between the activities held in Rome and those carried out in various regions of the world. Three former Directors General, Mr Cevat Erder, Mr Andrzej Tomaszewski and Mr Marc Laenen, spoke of the history and future of ICCROM.

At the end of the ceremony ICCROM received the 'Paestum Archaeology' Prize.  Mr Ritzvan Baymarov, current Council Member from Azerbaijan, then presented ICCROM with a carpet woven especially for the fiftieth anniversary. The ceremony was followed by a celebratory lunch and, in the afternoon, a visit to the archaeological site of Paestum and to the museum, led by Ms Giuliana Tocco, Superintendent of Antiquities of the provinces of Salerno and Benevento.

ICCROM would like to thank the Mediterranean Exchange for its generous support, and Mr Angelo Villani, President of the Province of Salerno.

updated on: 18 December, 2008