Damascus, (SANA) – The second stage of the workshop on the Mediterranean Living Heritage (MEDLIHER) project kicked off on Sunday at al-Assad National Library, organized by the Ministry of Culture, the UNESCO and the European Union.

The sessions discussed the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mediterranean countries in general and in Syria in particular, focusing on the mechanisms of implementing the Convention and the expertise that the workshop can present to members of heritage gathering committees in all Syrian areas.

Director of the Heritage Department at the Ministry of Culture Sayel Salloum underlined the ministry's commitment to gathering and documenting tangible and intangible heritage and protecting it from change ever since Syria joined the Convention in 2003, in addition to its commitment to safeguarding traditional handicrafts that represent an important part of cultural heritage and history.

UNESCO representative Henrikos Smiths pointed out that the MEDLIHER project, which is sponsored by UNESCO and the European Union, aims at assisting in implementing the Convention in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, in addition to bolstering these countries ability to participate in international mechanisms of protecting intangible heritage.

Participating experts stressed the need for immediate work to protect intangible folk heritage materials before they are lost, in addition to revitalizing the work of official agencies specializing in intangible heritage as well as relevant social organizations and academic parties.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen