Through the Cultural Protection Fund, we supported five projects focussing on cultural heritage protection in Yemen. One of these projects is Jamakanah led by Basement Cultural Foundation, which digitized 570 unique documents (manuscripts, letters, copies of manuscripts, photographs, sketches, notes, notebooks and memoirs) so that they are safeguarded for future generations.
Faryal Magdy, a volunteer in the project, said that the project had provided her with more to learn about the meaning of documentation and that the training opened her unusual horizons through which she was able to identify on the experiences of others.
Another project, led by Felix Arabia International in partnership with Yemen Education and Relief Organisation (YERO), preserved intangible cultural heritage practices of Yemeni needle work and embroidery. 50 women have been trained in needlework skills to enable them to learn new techniques and produce more intricate professional work.
Noria Naji, the Director of YERO said “we sat up a fashion show to showcase the ancient dresses of most regions of Yemen and distributed certificates to all, it was a great day and a wonderful ceremony. Among all challenging circumstance and the war something wonderful can come out.”
Another project Led by World Monuments Fund Britain to train museum professionals from the Yemeni city of Taiz, equipping them with the skills necessary to document the city's damaged cultural heritage. In Mukalla, The Prince Claus Fund led a project to restore, reconstruct and renovate important cultural landmarks and sites that have been affected by the conflict in Yemen, along with local partner, Daw‘an Mud Brick Architecture Foundation. The project safeguarded built cultural heritage throughout Hadhramaut by reinforcing structures and arresting any imminent danger threatening collapse. The project also trained more builders and local craftsmen in the techniques of restoration of mud-brick architecture and hold community outreach activities.
Finally, Training in Endangered Archaeology methodology with Middle East and North African Heritage Stakeholders, this project documented hundreds of endangered sites alongside other field work, training and conferences. It has supported the creation of national databases which will help to monitor and safeguard important archaeological sites in Yemen.