Latest news with #Heritage
Web Release
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Shaikha Al Nowais meets with President of Congo to explore future partnerships in culture, tourism, and sustainable development
H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General-elect of UN Tourism for the 2026–2029 term, met with H.E. Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to discuss avenues for future cooperation between UN Tourism and the Congolese government in the areas of culture, tourism, and sustainable development. The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships to advance shared priorities, while addressing the challenges facing the cultural sector. Discussions also explored opportunities to elevate the Democratic Republic of Congo's status as a leading cultural and tourism hub in Africa. Her Excellency also held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Yolande Elebe Ma Ndembo, Congolese Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, during which both sides explored prospects for collaboration aimed at enhancing cultural infrastructure and developing public policies to safeguard intellectual property and promote the rights of artists. The meeting underscored the vital role of culture and tourism in rebuilding national identity and empowering local communities, highlighting the need for inclusive and forward-looking policies in both sectors. World Music and Tourism Festival The meetings took place on the sidelines of H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais's participation in the inaugural edition of the World Music and Tourism Festival, organised by the Congolese Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the UN Tourism in Kinshasa. The Festival's aim is to support sustainable cultural and tourism policies and highlight the role of music and the arts in promoting intercultural dialogue through diverse tourism and cultural activities. Held under the theme 'The Rumba Route for Peace,' the Festival brought together prominent cultural leaders and tourism policymakers from around the globe, along with African artists and creative institutions. It featured live musical performances, high-level institutional dialogues, and field visits, serving as an unprecedented international platform that blends culture, tourism, and community development. Significance of culture and music in creating tourism opportunities H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais emphasized that music serves as a universal language that fosters understanding, tolerance, and solidarity among cultures. She underscored the vital role of investment in cultural and creative industries as powerful drivers of social and economic empowerment, particularly for youth. Her Excellency also noted that music transcends borders and reflects shared human values, making it a powerful tool for promoting cultural awareness and unlocking sustainable tourism opportunities across continents. 'Musical Villages Across Continents' initiative During her participation in the festival, H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais announced an international initiative titled 'Musical Villages Across Continents,' set to officially launch in 2026. The initiative aims to establish creative community centres in both Africa and Latin America to nurture local musical talent, promote cultural exchange, and encourage the creative economy in both rural and urban communities, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Roundtable on tourism as a tool for cultural diplomacy H.E. participated in a high-level roundtable discussion titled 'Transatlantic Rhythms for Peace: Advancing Advocacy and Policy Strategies for International Connections.' It brought together ministers and international policymakers from Africa, Latin America, and Asia to discuss the growing role of music tourism as a tool for cultural diplomacy, peace-building, and equitable development. Participants included H.E. M'pambia Musanga Didier, Minister of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and H.E. Yussif Issaka Jajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts of the Republic of Ghana. Visit to the Symphony Orchestra School On the sidelines of her participation in the festival, H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais visited the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra School, where she met with young musicians and learned about the school's training and arts academic programs.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Pink City goes green on Hariyali Teej
1 2 Jaipur: On the occasion of Hariyali Teej, Pink City witnessed a green revolution as both Jaipur Municipal Corporations—Greater and Heritage—jointly planted over 3.5 lakh saplings in a single day under the 'Hariyalo Rajasthan' campaign. The massive tree plantation drive aimed to promote greenery and environmental awareness, turning the celebration into a people's movement. JMC-G undertook the plantation of 1.5 lakh saplings. A central control room was set up to monitor the drive, where geo-tagging of every planted sapling was tracked in real time. Meanwhile, JMC-H surpassed expectations by planting over 2 lakh saplings, well above its initial target of 1.5 lakh. The primary event was held at Khadda Park in Civil Lines Zone, where acting mayor Kusum Yadav, commissioner Nidhi Patel, and MLA Gopal Sharma planted Ashoka trees. tnn
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
Adaptive reuse, public-private synergy can drive heritage conservation: Report
Last Updated: New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Emphasising that heritage conservation must be seen as both a 'moral obligation and a strategic investment", a new report has pitched for greater synergy between public and private sectors, and use of digital technology to drive preservation efforts. Jointly made by a leading business chamber and a global consultancy firm, it has also recommended 'adaptive reuse" of old buildings through PPP model and 'CSR funding" for heritage conservation. The report — 'Building Public-Private Synergies for Heritage Conservation' — was released at an international heritage tourism conclave held on the premises of the iconic Lukshmi Vilas Palace in Gujarat's Vadodara on July 25. Tourism, conservation and industry experts gathered at the conclave and deliberated on leveraging India's rich heritage for economic revitalisation, community development, and cultural continuity. 'Heritage conservation must be seen seen as both a moral obligation and a strategic investment, where country's heritage could be transformed from static monuments to vibrant and living symbols of identity, enabling it to continue inspiring and enriching future generations," the 28-page report says. It also cited some successful conservation projects in various parts of India, as well as well-known preservation models in the UK, Spain, Italy and other countries. The report, jointly made by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and KPMG in India, stresses that heritage conservation in India is 'at its defining moment". It must be recognised that the 'cultural landscape' around a heritage site is 'critical for the interpretation of the site and its built heritage", and thus is very much its integral part. Owing to its importance and nature of role in serving as a record for future generations, it becomes imperative to preserve this history and culture, hence requires time-to-time conservation, it says. The report through succinct examples underlines that heritage conservation means all the processes of looking after a place to retain its historical, architectural, aesthetic, cultural significance and includes maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adoption or a combination of more than one of these. It also lays emphasis on adaptive reuse of heritage buildings as cafes, museums, galleries or other cultural spaces, and creating synergy through public-private-partnership (PPP) models, citing the case study of Uttar Pradesh. Besides, the report also recommends funding through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and underlines coupling it with community outreach for best results. The report acknowledges the role of technology in this sector, and pitched for using Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for immersive storytelling and smart management tools for visitors' analysis and climate-responsive monitoring. On digital preservation, it emphasised on using technology to document, conserve and promote heritage and create inventories, especially for sites vulnerable to climate threats or human conflict. It also pitched for combining state and private funds to increase the overall funding available for heritage conservation projects. By combining state and private funds, heritage conservation projects can 'reduce their dependence on a single funding source", access a wider range of resources, expertise, this ensuring greater financial stability and sustainability of conservation efforts. As travellers increasingly seek authentic, immersive experiences, heritage tourism has emerged as a 'cornerstone of cultural identity, community empowerment, and regional branding, the report says. India, with its vast inventory of monuments, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic towns, palaces, forts, and intangible traditions, is 'uniquely positioned to lead this space". India is endowed with iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, ruins of old Nalanda university, ancient temples, medieval tombs and colonial-era structure and relics, which draw both awe and interest and intrigue among travellers. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India's annual report (2022), cultural and heritage tourism is an important and evolving concept within India's total tourism economy, with growth potential fuelled by rising domestic demand and international interest in India's civilisation legacy, the report says. Citing a 2024 report, it further says that India's heritage tourism market is projected to reach USD 57.14 billion by 2033, driven by its rich cultural diversity, along with rising global interest in spiritual and experience travel, boosting domestic and international tourist inflow. top videos View all The PHDCCI-KPMG report also cites some of the challenges facing efforts for heritage conservation, such as inadequate funding which can lead to neglect, deterioration, and loss of heritage sites; lack of technical expertise; insufficient community engagement; and maintenance challenges. The other factor is complexity of heritage projects. Heritage assets are often complex and multi-faceted. The complexity of such assets can make it challenging to develop effective conservation strategies. PTI KND MNK MNK view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Spirits high at Africville reunion as attendees celebrate 'the people that came before us'
Social Sharing Kites were flying, kids were playing and burgers were being flipped at the 42nd Africville Family Reunion on Saturday. It was children's day, and event organizer Shawn Mantley was on barbecue duty. He said it's important for the community to gather and acknowledge their ancestors and the history of Africville. "For us, it's remembering the good times, but also not forgetting the injustice," he said. "It's celebrating the ancestors and the people that came before us." For more than 40 years, people have returned for a weekend festival at what is now a National Historic Site, after Africville was torn down by the city of Halifax in the 1960s. Mantley said some children might not know the story of Africville. But they had the opportunity to learn during a roundtable Friday night where descendants shared memories and talked about the injustices faced. Mantley said despite a shooting that left five people injured at least year's event, the atmosphere this year feels calm, and it's a good feeling to be here. "For our youth, we want to make sure that the spirit of Africville carries on," said Mantley. Amira Simms Oliver, 14, has soaked up the spirit of Africville at every reunion since she was a baby. She said it's great to be surrounded by family and friends. "Even though the incident last year happened, I'm not going to let that stop me from coming here," said Simms Oliver. "Even though there's not as many people as there were like the years before, I'm still going to have a good time."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
200-yr-old tree falls in Walled City, damages temple, houses
1 2 Jaipur: A nearly 200-year-old tree was uprooted amid heavy rain in the early hours of Saturday and caused damage to the Shiva temple next to it and a couple of nearby houses at Baarah Bhaiyon Ka Chauraha in Walled City. The administration confirmed there were no casualties or injuries in the incident. "Panic spread among the residents of the nearby buildings when the tree fell in the early hours of the day. It was raining heavily at the time of the incident," said an official of Jaipur Municipal Corporation (Heritage). Meanwhile, to prevent any untoward incidents during the monsoon, district collector Jitendra Kumar Soni has issued guidelines to officials for keeping buildings, schools, and anganwadi centres safe. Soni, along with officers concerned, conducted an inspection Saturday of buildings of schools and anganwadi centres. "Following the inspection, the officers prepared a to-do list and will ensure the repair work of the dilapidated buildings as soon as possible. A list has been prepared of schools and anganwadi centres that will be operated at an alternative place during the time of repair," an official stated. Officials said, dilapidated houses in rural and urban areas are also being identified. and their residents will be immediate shifted.
