Latest news with #CulturalAffairs
CTV News
26-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Wildfire damages Civil War-area historical site in New Mexico as campgrounds are evacuated
In this photo provided by the Fort Stanton Historic Site, destruction from the Camp Fire, which damaged several historic buildings at Fort Stanton, a historic site managed by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is seen Monday, May 26, 2025, in Fort Stanton, N.M. (Oliver Horn/Fort Stanton Historic Site via AP)
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Travel + Leisure
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Building Could Soon Lose Its UNESCO World Heritage Site Status—Here's Why
Hollyhock House, located in East Hollywood, is one of Los Angeles's most iconic landmarks and is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city—however, this architectural gem may soon lose its UNESCO status and close to the public. Facing a major budget shortfall, L.A.'s City Council is weighing municipal cuts and staffing reductions proposed by Mayor Karen Bass, some of which affect the Department of Cultural Affairs, which manages Hollyhock House. The landmark currently has two full-time employees, and under the potential plan, it would be left with just one staff member. Additionally, two other positions, which are currently vacant, would also be eliminated, making it impossible to support public tours and ongoing preservation efforts. The house officially earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019. It's one of just 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States and the only man-made one on the West Coast. However, guidelines require the house to have at least four full-time staffers in order to maintain its UNESCO status. Additionally, the cuts will affect the city's ability to preserve and maintain one of arguably the most unique buildings in L.A. 'Hollyhock House was the first Los Angeles commission for the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright,' says Andrew Salimian, director of advocacy at the Los Angeles Conservancy, a historic preservation organization. '... Hollyhock House is an extraordinary and early expression of Southern California Architecture." This massive, 17-room residence was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for American oil heiress and socialite Aline Barnsdall, who intended it to be a part of a massive, 36-acre art and theater complex. However, the project was never fully completed, and Barnsdall found the home too impractical to live in. So, in 1927, the house was donated to the City of Los Angeles, and it became a public museum in 1976. Heavily inspired by pre-Columbian Central American architecture, Hollyhock is considered to be one of Wright's most experimental works and is best known for the hollyhock motifs (Barnsdall's favorite flower) that visitors can spot around the property. As of now, the site is open to visitors Thursday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In recent years, the city has invested heavily in renovating Hollyhock House. During the pandemic, it closed for two years, and during that time, its massive fireplace, art-glass balcony doors, the guesthouse, and original Wright-designed furnishings were restored. The proposed cuts have been a shock to both preservationists and architecture fans. 'The city worked for over 15 years to get UNESCO status for Hollyhock House, and now these cuts will adversely affect the preservation, protection, and public access to this site,' says Salimian.
NHK
16-05-2025
- NHK
Japan to list historic canal as national treasure
Japan's government is updating its list of national treasures. The new addition is a historic canal running from Lake Biwa to the city of Kyoto. The Agency for Cultural Affairs made the announcement on Friday. An expert panel singled out five facilities, including a brick aqueduct at Nanzenji Temple, three tunnels, and a railway for transporting boats up and down a slope. They were constructed during the Meiji era in the late 19th century, when Japan adopted engineering and construction technologies from the West. The experts say the facilities are profoundly significant because they became an essential part of Kyoto's landscape. The agency also says a set of 24 structures along the canal will be designated as important cultural properties. And so will "Tower of the Sun," a landmark in Osaka Prefecture designed by artist Okamoto Taro. The work served as the centerpiece of the 1970 World Expo. The expert panel says the event has come to symbolize Japan's postwar economic boom.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Thrissur's Kairali-Sree theatres to offer word-class experience to moviegoers
The modernised Kairali-Sree theatre complex in Thrissur will be reopened on May 27. Minister for Cultural Affairs, Fisheries, and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian will inaugurate the renovated theatres. The theatre complex, functioning under the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), has been upgraded with cutting-edge features such as RGB laser projectors, Dolby Atmos 64-channel surround sound, 3D and silver screens, state-of-the-art seating, including couple seats, lift access, advanced fire safety systems, and a dedicated feeding room, to offer world-class cinema experience to moviegoers.
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia makes historic bid for UNWTO S-G. banking on its internationally recognised experience
Tunis: Tunisia is vying for the Secretary-General position of the United Nations Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for the 2026-2029 term, presenting Habib Ammar as its candidate for the first time. He will compete against five nominees from Georgia (represented by the current Secretary-General), Ghana, Greece, Mexico, and the UAE. Ammar's campaign is built on a 7-point programme under the slogan "Together We Make Tourism an Engine of Prosperity for All." Ammar's career began in Tunisia's public sector, where he held key roles, including Minister of Tourism in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis and later Acting Minister of Cultural Affairs. His earlier positions in 2011 and 2015 focused on enhancing tourism sector performance during challenging periods for Tunisia. In an exclusive video interview with TAP news agency, Habib Ammar emphasised Tunisia's global tourism reputation and expertise: "Tunisia is internationally recognised for tourism and has the required competence. Such nominations are positive, especially as Tunisia has long supported other nations' candidacies." Ammar's platform highlights fair, inclusive decision-making representing all member states, sustainable, eco-friendly tourism, respecting local communities and bridging the digital divide and accelerating sector digitisation. His vision also includes a strategy focusing on strengthening education/training for future tourism professionals and crisis-resilient tourism strategies. Tunisia's candidate will also work to uphold transparent, rigorous management of the organisation and promoting diversity and equal opportunities to empower women, youth, and marginalised groups. Ammar underscored Tunisia's decades of tourism development: "This sector was built by Tunisians post-independence. Our human resource training is excellent—globally acknowledged." He cited the country's rich cultural, historical, and civilizational heritage, along with its open, peaceful society, as key assets. He stressed the UN Tourism Organisation's need for "a fresh vision aligned with UN principles," adding: "It's time for Africa to lead the Secretariat." The 35-member Executive Council will convene in late May 2025 to shortlist candidates, with the final vote set for November 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
