By Nneka Nwogwugwu
David Greene, the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Morocco has launched a $189,000 project for the preservation of mosaics at Volubilis.
In 1997, UNESCO designated Volubilis as a World Heritage Site. It is known for its 2nd and 3rd-century mosaics, inspired by Greco-Roman mythology.
The embassy officially announced the launch of the mosaic restoration project on January 19, noting in a press release that the project will be carried out in partnership with Ifker Association of Education on the Environment and Sustainable Development, Morocco’s Ministry of Culture, and the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
The $189,000 project was financed by the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the statement stressed, adding that the US Congress created the fund in 2001 to preserve cultural heritage around the globe.
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“This project is an example of the U.S. Government’s continued partnership with the Moroccan government and with local organizations to preserve and share the Kingdom’s invaluable cultural heritage,” Greene said during the launch ceremony.
As part of the project, experts from the Getty Conservation Institute Mosaikon will work with local partners and artisans in restoring and preserving mosaics, raising awareness about cultural heritage restoration in Morocco, and promoting Morocco’s cultural heritage worldwide.
“Given the importance of these objects, the project will be implemented with a close coordination with the local community and youth, through training in mosaic restoration, education and sharing of best practices of cultural heritage preservation, as well as promoting the importance of Morocco’s cultural heritage,” said Anwar El Haouari, President of Ifkir Association.
In partnership with the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, the US Embassy Morocco has over the past 20 years allocated more than $1 million for 12 cultural heritage projects across the country.
Some of the funding covered the partial restoration of Kasbah El Mediha near Kentira and the creation of film archives at the Cinematheque de Tanger.
