World Monuments Fund presents 'Heritage from Home'
The pillars that support the most iconic monuments in the world they also keep stories that deserve to be told from generation to generation. However, the passage of time, weather conditions and the intervention of the inhabitants of the planet have caused these treasures to deteriorate.
For this reason, institutions like World Monuments Fund (WMF) They were born with a clear objective: preserve, restore and manage for the long term the relics that make up this cultural heritage. To achieve this, the team relies on local partners who provide the foundation with financial and technical support.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
This private non-profit organization, founded in 1965 , has directed more than 600 projects in 90 countries , counting on affiliated organizations whose headquarters are located in Great Britain, India, Peru, Portugal and Spain.
Today, more than 50 years after its creation, the global health situation prevents us from traveling freely in search of all the natural treasures that the World Monuments Fund watches over.
Taj Mahal, Agra
The solution to quench those cravings for cultural beauty? The launch of Heritage from Home, a series of virtual tours that show us the ins and outs of some of the most iconic enclaves in the world.
According to comments from the World Monuments Fund, the videos will be published monthly, starting from next February 26. Secondly, the members of WMF will have the opportunity to attend virtual presentations which will be carried out live by a committee of experts to introduce certain monuments.
From the Angkor Archaeological Park (Cambodia) to the Qianlong Garden, in the Forbidden City of Beijing, passing through the solar observatory of Chankillo (Peru). These are the fascinating enclaves through which you can walk virtually:
– Angkor Wat (Cambodia): here is one of the most emblematic archaeological sites in the world, where WMF has been working three decades. Get lost in its impressive Hindu and Buddhist temple complexes It is something you have to do at least once in your life. On February 26 we will be able to do it hand in hand with Geneva Boatto , regional representative of WMF in Southeast Asia.
Chanquillo, Peru
– Mughal Gardens (Agra): stroll along the Yamuna River, Agra (India), is almost as inspiring as reveling in the lush gardens surrounding the imposing Taj Mahal. The executive director of WMF in India, Amita Baig, will carry out an analysis on how this enclave, which the institution has been preserving for five years, can contribute to community development.
– Chankillo (Peru): built ago more than 2,300 years in the coastal desert of Peru , this ancient solar observatory, which has thirteen towers , allowed its inhabitants to determine the date with an accuracy of two or three days. Martha Zegarra, the vice president of WMF Peru, and the director of the Chankillo program, Iván Ghezzi, will be the narrators of this wonderful video.
– Citadel of Erbil (Iraq): Situated on a promontory that rises 30 meters above the surrounding plains, the citadel of Erbil is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites on Earth. Alessandra Peruzzetto, regional director of WMF, will be the one to discover this relic for us.
– Castle Howard, Strawberry Hill and Stowe House (United Kingdom): from the Georgian ducal palace of Stowe House to the baroque Castle Howard, passing through the world's first Gothic-style building, Strawberry Hill; John Darlington, Executive Director of WMF in Great Britain, will be in charge of showing us these three great architectural landmarks of the United Kingdom.
Bears Ears, one of the ancestral centers of the Native American community
– Bears Ears National Monument (USA): Bears Ears is America's first truly Native American national monument , sacred place for the indigenous communities of the country. Preserve this enclave, as well as other places that played a key role in the fight for civil rights , has been the work of the World Monuments Fund. Frank Sanchis , WMF representative in North America, will be the guide for this visit.
– Qianlong Garden (China): four courtyards and 27 pavilions give life to the centennial Qianlong Garden, whose origin lies in Imperial China. WMF Executive Vice President, Darlene McCloud , will immerse us in the gardens and show us the effort of nineteen years of dedication.
– Alhambra (Granada): is 13th century fortress is one of the great jewels of Spanish geography is, without a doubt, the Alhambra. Delight in every detail of its ornate decoration, feel the calm that invades the Patio de los Leones and, in short, going through each of its rooms, is the virtual plan that it proposes Pablo Longoria, executive director of WMF Spain.
– Garma Cave (Cantabria): La Garma is one of the best kept secrets in Cantabria, located on Mount Omoño. the cave was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008 , since it hides an extraordinarily well-preserved collection of rock art and archaeological remains dating from the Paleolithic and Prehistory. Once again, Pablo Longoria will reveal his inordinate wealth to us.
Cave art in the Cueva de la Garma, in Cantabria
– Babylon: the one that was capital of a vast empire , is today one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, located near the current city of Hilla (Iraq). Jeff Allen reveals the secrets of this magnificent enclave , which WMF has been managing for 12 years.
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