August 2007 CLT/FO/2007/NW/H/2 Editorial Culture Unit Newsletter Our activities concerning the Image of the Other in European and Arab History Textbooks expand, and a guidebook for authors is in preparation. So does our involvement on the protection and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, with the launching of the SOS Mediterranneo Agency, the digitalization of rare documents of the Nubia Museum in Aswan, the promotion of Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya and training workshops on palm tree crafts. Gérard de Puymège Event... The role of innovative textbooks design toward intercultural understanding Dr Gérard de Puymège and Ms. Gehanne Abdel Malek participated in Paris on 14/15 June 2007 to a Meeting on Thinking and Building Peace through Innovative Textbook Design organized by the UNESCO Education sector within the UNESCO-ISESCO Cooperation Programme. Participants indented to articulate fundamental assumptions on the role of textbooks and learning materials in the learning process, and on ways to integrate activities that actively engage students in building essential skills to promoting peace, human rights and sustainable development. During the various sessions, numerous themes were dealt with, including intercultural perspectives on the impact of textbooks and learning media, the role of teachers in building peace and building skills for living together. The important work carried out during the last three years by UNESCO Cairo Office was presented as an example of good cooperation between various institutions and intersectoral cooperation between the Education and Culture Sectors at UNESCO. Through the UNESCO Mediterranean Programme, UNESCO Cairo Office and its partners are preparing a guidebook on the image of the Other in European and Arab History Textbooks, for history textbook authors from Europe and the Arab World. Workshops on the principles of the guidebook will also be held in European and Arab countries, and a database and a web-portal will be created, in cooperation with the iroots Project at UNESCO headquarters. This activity is carried out in collaboration with the Education Sector in UNESCO Cairo Office and at UNESCO Headquarters, the League of Arab States, ISESCO, ALECSO, the Council of Europe, the Anna Lindh Foundation, National Commissions for UNESCO, the Egyptian Ministry for Higher Education and Research, the Swedish Institutue in Alexandria and the Georg Eckert Institute for Textbooks Revision.
In Brief... SOS Mediterraneo Agency: a new tool for heritage protection The Mediterranean cultural heritage is probably the richest 2007: Signature of a Protocol of Understanding and most varied in the world. in for the creation of the SOS Mediteranneo The SOS Mediteranneo Agency will be committed to the Agency by the Istituto Superiore per le Tecniche promotion of scientific research and technical support, di Conservazione dei Beni Culturali conservation and enhancement, protection and safeguard of dell Ambiente Antonio di Stefano (ISAD) and this common archaeological, artistic, architectonic and UNESCO Mediterranean Programme environmental heritage. Particular attention will be paid to the coastal developing countries. UNESCO Cairo Office will be the executive body and will coordinate in loco the activities with the Office for the Salvage of the Monuments of Nubia and the staff of the Nubia Museum. These activities, starting September 2007, will consist in the launching of an interactive website, planning and scientific consultation, SOS Mediterraneo Agency will be permanently hosted in the ready intervention services and specialized Nubia Museum in Aswan, due to its exceptional conservation training workshops. laboratories. Digitalization of the Nubian Heritage documents To prevent rare books and documents of the Documentation Center of the Nubia Museum in Aswan from deterioration, they will be digitalized. Thus they will be safeguarded and will contribute to Nubian Heritage promotion, the audience being able to access the collection through the internet. This is a joint activity between UNESCO Cairo Office, a consortium of Companies led by Echo Egypt and the Office for the Salvage of Nubia Monuments ( Egyptian Ministry of Culture)
Antica Nubia, Egitto e Sudan Exhibition in Roma (Italy) The Cooperation between Egypt and Sudan in the field of Cultural Heritage includes not only practical shared actions but also promotional events. This exhibition, held in April 2007 was organized by the Istituto Superiore per le Tecniche di Conservazione dei beni Culturali e dell Ambiente Antonino de Stefano, with the authorities of both countries and the The ambassador of Sudan in Rome, H.E. support of UNESCO Cairo Office. Rabie Hassan Ahmed and the 1th The panels of the Joint mission to Nubia, Secretary of the egyptian Embassy Hatem which show the sites from Khartoum to el Kader opened the exhibition with Aswan, were exhibited at the Biblioteca speaches on the importance of such Vallicelliana. cooperation. The exhibition will also be displayed in Erice and Locri ( Italy) on August 2007 Istituto Superiore per le Tecniche di Conservazione dei beni Culturali e dell Ambiente Antonino de Stefano Spotlight... UNESCO's Mediterranean Programme Launched in 1994 by the Director General of UNESCO, the Mediterranean Programme, now based at UNESCO Office in Cairo, is the first major mediterranean programme operating from the heart of the Arab World. It federates UNESCO activities relating to the Mediterranean basin and develops around three major concerns: The Mediterranean Programme creates and supports thematic networks associating public and private bodies within the various domains of competence of the Organization: Education, Science, Culture and Communication. Network of Gardens and Landscapes of the Mediterranean. Network of Historic Naval Dockyards of the Mediterranean The Navigation of Knowledge Network of Handicrafts of the Mediterranean. Network for the Revision of History Textbooks The Image of the Other in European and Arab Textbooks. -Fostering a culture of peace. More information: Dr. Gérard de Puymège, coordinator, at UNESCO Office in Cairo puymege@mail.unesco.org.eg Network of Traditional Festivals of the Mediterranean Festivals of the Sun. -Promotion of intercultural dialogue. -Laying foundations for sustainable co-development. The following networks have been launched:
Palm tree crafts for sustainable development A new workshop for palm tree crafts is currently being established in the village of Abu Sir (Giza governorate), close to the World Heritage site of the Sakkara pyramids. This new project will link economical and social development with culture and tourism. The palm tree being abundant and reflecting the village main character, was chosen as the main factor for development. From trunk to leaves, practically all parts of this tree have a useful purpose and can be exploited. The sales of palm tree crafts can provide sustainable income to upgrade the living conditions of local underprivileged families. To that purpose, a workshop was established to transmit these craft skills to unemployed youth of both genders. They will learn how to use the palm tree material to produce curtains, cushions, mats, light dry wood outdoor furniture and basketry objects. Priority will be given to the use of traditional designs, to insure the perpetuation of local knowledge and preserve the local cultural identity. The eco-craft palm tree project is implemented by the Egyptian Endurance Riders Association, in partnership with the Egyptian Swiss Development Fund, with UNESCO Cairo office as executive agency. Project conceived within the context of the UN Millennium Development Goals, UNESCO Universal declaration on Cultural Diversity and Convention for the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya, an unique Arab epic Once upon a time, a famous tribe migrated from the Arabian Peninsula to Egypt. The Bani Hilal then conquered North Africa, before their final defeat one hundred years later. This actual story took place between the tenth and the twelfth century. Narratives about the Bani Hilal tribe have passed down from generation to generation, from Morocco to the Indian Ocean. It is the single most widespread narrative of Arabic Oral Literature. Throughout the centuries, this oral tradition created a rich and complex narrative, centered on a cluster of heroic characters. While many of the epics from the past have fallen into oblivion, Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya survived in its complete form, with all its four episodes intact and its various forms of performance. The language technique employed is an highly stylized kind of verse language and its performers enact it in a theatrical fashion, changing their voices to suit the personalities of the various characters and employing hands, facial expressions and body motions. The most famous versions are those sung in Upper Egypt, who performed at wedding ceremonies and other occasions. Unfortunately, the number of Master poets of Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya is decreasing very rapidly. Use of this traditional epic to entertain tourists led the poets to select the most exciting parts of the epic, threatening the other parts with disappearance. Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya was proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 2003. Project carried out by the Egyptian Society for Folk Traditions, managed UNESCO Cairo Office, with UNESCO Culture Sector in Paris. Financial contributions: His Excellency Sheikh bin Sultan el Nahyan International Prize, His Excellency Sheikh Ghassam I. Shaker (UNESCO Goodwill Following this proclamation an ambitious project was conceived for the safeguarding, revitalization and protection of Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya. 346 hours of recitation have been recorded as well as information on poets collected. This was the first phase of the safeguarding project. Future steps will aim to encourage the
Ambassador) Master poets and musicians to transmit their know-how to younger generations, to keep alive this remarkable oral folk tradition. See the Brochure Safeguarding and protecting the oral epic of Al Sirah Al Hilaliyya, available at our Office. Other ongoing projects In Egypt In Sudan Conservation of Qasr Ibrim island on Conservation of the site of Nuri (Nubia): with the the Lake Nasser. Istituto Superiore per le Tecniche di Conservazione dei Beni Culturali e dell'ambiente Antonio de Stefano. Bridge on the Nile project. Mediterranean programme: In Yemen Protection of a World Heritage Site in danger: the archaeological site of Zabid. - Promotion of Egyptian handicrafts: Eco-cultural tourism project in Sudanese desert stone carving school, glass blowing (Wadi Halfa area). Sahara of Cultures and Peoples Safeguarding the song of Sana a, masterpieces of workshops. Programme. the Oral and Intangible Support to the creation of the Nubian Museum of Cultural Heritage of Wadi Halfa, in cooperation with the Nubia Museum Humanity. of Aswan. Completion of Khartoum Museum rehabilitation. Safeguarding of archaeological sites in Jawf governorate. Agenda September: 31 August-5: Mission to Yemen. 9-12: Organizers meeting on The Image of the Other in European and Arab History Textbooks project. Alexandria. 26-1 October: Mission to Italy: SOS Mediterraneo project meeting and Nubia Exhibition. October: 28-31: Experts meeting on Textbooks project. Alexandria. Who's who Dr. Gérard de Puymège, Senior Programme Specialist for Culture and Coordinator of the UNESCO Mediterranean Programme. puymege@mail.unesco.org.eg Dr. Costanza de Simone, Expert in Culture Heritage. c.desimone@mail.unesco.org.eg Ms. Amal Gad is our liaison to the Administrative unit and assists each of us in the technical and administrative aspects of the Unit s work. amal@mail.unesco.org.eg Ms. Gehanne Abdel Malek, Research Assistant, is working on the Mediterranean Programme and other extrabudgetary activities. gehanne@mail.unesco.org.eg Ms. Hoda Abdel Meguid, Focal Point to the UNESCO Jawf and Song of Sana a Projects in Yemen and Research Assistant to Communication and Information Division. h.abdel-meguid@unesco.org Ms. Charline Liotier, editor of this newsletter is an intern in information and communication working with the unit. cliotier@yahoo.fr