World Monuments Watch 2021 Watch Monuments World
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Commemorative Edition WORLD MONUMENTS WATCH 2021 WATCH MONUMENTS WORLD Watch | 2021 wmf.org CONTENTS INTRODUCTION THIS YEAR AT WMF Introduction from Responding to a Year of 3 Bénédicte de Montlaur. 36 Extraordinary Challenges We reflect on this year’s many challenges and the opportunities they revealed. 55 Years of Excellence in 4 Cultural Heritage Preservation. A Community Unites to Rebuild 38 Char Narayan Temple in the Wake of an Earthquake Discover the collaborative process of WORLD MONUMENTS FUND reconstructing this iconic temple in Kathmandu. AROUND THE GLOBE WMF Responds to Unanticipated Our Presence Around the World 42 Challenges at Osmania Women’s 6 Explore our extensive network of affiliate offices College in Hyderabad and regional representatives. Explore our long history at this former British Residency in India. WMF Spain 8 Learn about our first international affiliate office and key projects. Bunce Island: A Memorial 44 to the Dark History of Man’s Inhumanity WMF Portugal WMF’s work at Bunce Island secures the 12 Explore our innovative work at the Tower of Belém survival of one of the most important heritage and the iconic Jerónimos Monastery and Church. sites related to the slave trade in West Africa. WMF Britain Kesennuma and the Great East 16 Discover the far-reaching work spearheaded 46 Japan Earthquake: A Story of by our affiliate office in the UK. Resilience and Recovery Learn about the Kesennuma Historic WMF Peru Cityscape project. 20 See how a call to rehabilitate a part of Cusco’s Historic Center blossomed into our South American affiliate office. A Year in Events 48 Lectures, celebrations, and award ceremonies brought together new friends. WMF India 24 Discover the achievements of the latest addition to the WMF affiliate family. JOIN US Become a Member LOOKING TO THE FUTURE 52 Join WMF and make a lasting difference for cultural heritage. Global Challenges to Cultural 28 Heritage Preservation More Ways to Give WMF Vice President of Programs, Jonathan S. Bell, Discover the many programs at WMF, explores World Monuments Fund’s role in the future 54 including our new Junior Board. of heritage preservation. International Council 56 Experience the world’s treasured places as only a member of our International Council can. Cover: Angkor Wat at sunrise. Legacy Society 58 Learn about the 55 for 55 Bequest Challenge Opposite page: A detail of the and become a member of our Legacy Society. takienta, an earthen dwelling made in Koutammakou, Land of Thank You to Our Supporters the Batammariba—a 2020 World 60 World Monuments Fund’s work couldn’t Monuments Watch site. be done without you! Watch | 2021 1 Our teams at Angkor Archaeological Park—and all around the world—are standing stronger than ever. 2 wmf.org Dear Friends, World Monuments Fund brings together those who see in places and monuments extraordinary examples of human achievement and are inspired by their potential to contribute to more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities everywhere. For the past fifty-five years, WMF has turned this inspiration into action, completing more than 700 heritage projects around the world to safeguard the globe’s irreplaceable cultural sites and to help turn them into a source of enrichment for local communities and mutual understanding between people around the globe. And there is so much more we have yet to accomplish. As our planet and its inhabitants face dramatic and unparalleled change, multiple threats are taking their toll on the world’s cultural treasures: climate change, economic and cultural globalization, rapid urbanization, conflicts, natural disasters, mass tourism, and, underlying them all, the loss of traditional techniques and the inexorable passage of time. WMF must adapt to these challenges. We must strengthen our global presence, finding the right balance between local empowerment and global impact via an expanded network of affiliates and partners. We must choose field projects that present local solutions to the most pressing global challenges facing historic sites. We must continue to raise awareness and encourage others to join us on our mission. Marked by an unprecedented global pandemic, 2020 was a year of unique challenges. The suspension of on-site work spread uncertainty and sometimes hindered our ability to move forward. Occasions for celebration, such as the completion of our projects at Chancellerie d’Orléans, Qianlong Garden, and the Ta Som Temple, were delayed. In the face of these headwinds, it was truly inspiring to see our team come together, fighting for the values of WMF and determined to continue its efforts. From the support we provided to staff around the globe in moments of need to the development of our Bridge to Crafts Careers and Stonemasonry Training capacity-building programs, the expansion of our digital programming, and the completion of projects in Nepal and Sierra Leone, among others, the breadth of our accomplishments this year is a testament to our ability to overcome. As our inability to travel and adequately communicate contributes to the sense of disconnectedness that is feeding the rise of nationalism and isolationism everywhere, our mission is more important than ever. By connecting the present with both the past and the future, our work has the potential to help create a better world—a world where people can interact with each other’s cultures and histories, learn from them, and find in them a source of opportunity. A world where communities around the globe grow together, safeguarding our shared accomplishments while also building empathy and understanding. So, stand with us in these difficult times. For this 55th anniversary, which also marks my first year at WMF, I am filled with confidence for our future. Together, we will tackle 2021 with more courage and strength than ever. Bénédicte de Montlaur President and CEO Watch | 2021 3 1988 1965 1978 The Jewish Heritage Program is WMF’s first project in established with Asia begins at the support of Hon. Gokarna complex in Ronald S. Lauder. 1993 Kathmandu. Since 1988, WMF’s Jewish Heritage A WMF affiliate is Program has established in supported Portugal and conservation work at begins work on the 1985 Tower of Belém. nearly 60 diverse sites in 27 countries, including France, Greece, Hungary, India, Lithuania, 1995 Morocco, and Poland. Major support was WMF launches the also provided to the Watch, a biennial World Monuments Endowment by Mrs. selection of at-risk Fund, then called Joyce Z. Greenberg. cultural heritage sites International Fund for that combine great historical significance Monuments (IFM), is Colonel Gray retires, 1988 founded by Colonel Bonnie Burnham is with contemporary James A. Gray, appointed as WMF begins its first social impact, with inspired by the Executive Director, project in China at American Express as challenges facing and IFM becomes Xiannongtan (Temple founding sponsor. the Leaning Tower World Monuments of Agriculture), The first Watch is of Pisa. Fund. Beijing. released in 1996. 1966 1985 1995 WMF begins a A conservation 1989 preservation project program is launched A WMF affiliate is at Lalibela, Ethiopia, for earthquake- established in Britain, its first in Africa. damaged 20th-century supported by the murals in Mexico City. Paul Mellon Fund for Architectural Preservation in Great Britain. The 1967 restoration of the 1988 Small Concert Room at St. George’s Hall in Liverpool is WMF WMF’s first mission Britain’s first project. to Angkor in Cambodia, where WMF is the first 1996 WMF is an Western organization In December, the “ The Hadrian Award is to survey temples landmark judgment of organization established to honor since the 1950s. the Supreme Court of international leaders India on the Taj Mahal who have advanced that follows up 1992 in the case of M.C. the understanding, Mehta vs. Union of on its promises. appreciation, and A WMF affiliate India & Others noted preservation of the is established that the Taj was Once we commit world’s art and in Spain. threatened by architecture. The first deterioration caused, in The Easter Island recipient is Carlo De part, by environmental to a monument, Committee is Benedetti. Subsequent pollution, quoting formed with the honorees include His WMF’s designation as you can trust a Chilean government. Royal Highness The an endangered site in Tours to raise Prince of Wales its judgment. M.C. positive change awareness begin. (1990), His Highness Mehta nominated the The Aga Khan (1996), site to the first World will happen to it. and Phyllis Lambert Monuments Watch (1997), among many as one of the 100 others. - HRH Doña Pilar de Borbón most endangered sites of 1996. 4 wmf.org 1999 2020 The Robert W. Wilson 2019 Challenge to WMF, in partnership Conserve Our with the AAACRHSC Heritage is created, 2016 and the Birmingham providing more than 2007 Civil Rights Institute, World Heritage Sites $100 million to Global climate launches Voices of in Nepal are added nearly 200 heritage change is recognized Alabama, an oral to the 2016 World sites over the next for the first time as a history project 2011 Monuments Watch decade. major threat in the illuminating 20 Civil following the massive 2008 World Rights sites—included earthquake on Monuments Watch. on the 2018 World April 25, 2015. Monuments The Relief Fund is 2002 Watch—through established in storytelling. response to the WMF launches COVID-19 pandemic. 2008 CRAFT Funds raised helped (Conservation 2017 support teams of WMF launches the Resources for conservators and World Monuments Architectural 2019 preservation workers Fund/Knoll Interiors, Furniture, at Shwe-nandaw Modernism Prize to and Training), an Kyaung in Mandalay, raise awareness educational Erbil Citadel in Iraq, about modern program designed Osmania Women’s Work begins at preservation success to meet critical College in Hyderabad, Qianlong Garden, in stories. The first prize conservation needs and Angkor Beijing, China, in is awarded to in China.