With the aim of breaking language barriers and providing knowledge where it is most needed, ICCROM is pleased to announce the release of the Italian and Farsi versions of its pioneering online resource, Endangered Heritage: Emergency Evacuation of Heritage Collections.
The translations were made possible thanks to collaborations with UNESCO and ICOM Italia on the Italian version – with a special mention to the translator, an alumna of ICCROM’s international course, First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis – and the Iranian Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT) on the Farsi version.
Translating the guidelines into Italian and Farsi has made them more accessible to emergency responders and heritage professionals, as well as communities living in risk-prone regions.
Persian, also known as Farsi to its native Iranian speakers, is spoken by over 110 million people, mostly in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. These countries are not only exposed to manmade and natural hazards but have suffered from loss of antiquities due to looting and illicit trafficking, putting their rich cultural heritage at constant risk.
Similarly, disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fires pose a threat to Italy’s cultural heritage, including its world-famous monuments, archaeological sites and historical centres.
“The easy and adaptable workflow in these guidelines makes it an important tool for all cultural heritage institutions. User friendly diagrams make this a truly unique publication as it streamlines the evacuation process while maintaining professional standards” Rebecca Kennedy, Preservation Specialist and Emergency Responder.
About the guidelines
Built upon years of experience and real-life situations, Endangered Heritage offers a field-tested, simple workflow for the emergency evacuation of valuable objects. A multi-purpose guide, it is created with a variety of users in mind, with simple language and layout intended for heritage personnel, emergency responders and civilians alike.
The resource offers guidance on when and how to intervene to protect endangered heritage, with its illustrations and charts helping readers to understand quickly and begin working. In crisis situations, it is a fast and easy read covering the emergency documentation, safe transport and temporary storage of collections.
Download it, save it to your phone, and share it with as many people as possible, so that together we can improve emergency preparedness and response, and build resilience for cultural heritage worldwide!