One-Day International Congress

Syria’s Cultural Heritage and Archaeology after 14 years of turbulence: The Current Situation and Prospects of Japan-Syria Post-Conflict Collaboration

Date: February 23, 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 10:00-15:00 (Syria time) / 16:00-21:00 (Japan time)
Venue: Online (Zoom)

Contact: Sari Jammo (sari.jammo.y7@f.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp)

Organizers: Nagoya University Museum, University of Tsukuba,
Research Center for West Asian Civilization

09:30-10:00 (Syria) / 15:30-16:00 (Japan) Opening

Session 1: Voices from Syria

10:00-10:30 (Syria) / 16:00-16:30 (Japan)
Dr. Anas Haj Zeidan (Director General, Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums)
“The Current Situation of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology in Syria”

10:30-10:50 (Syria) / 16:30-16:50 (Japan)
Arch. Lina Kutiefan (Director of the World Heritage Sites in Syria)
“Post-War Reconstruction: Challenges and Syria’s Built Heritage Need”

11:00-11:20 (Syria) / 17:00-17:20 (Japan)
Dr. Rima Khawam (Chief Curator of Damascus National Museum)
“The General Situation of Museums in Syria: Spotlight on Damascus National Museum”

11:20-11:50 (Syria) / 17:20-17:50 (Japan)
Mr. Ayman Nabo (Director of Idleb Antiquity Center)
“Post-Conflict Cultural Property Management and Strengthening the Role of Local Communities”

Session 2: Voices from abroad

11:50-12:30 (Syria) / 17:50-18:30 (Japan)
Prof. Emeritus Akira Tsuneki (University of Tsukuba, Japan)
“Syrian Cultural Heritage and Future Collaboration:
University of Tsukuba’s Project for the Protection of Syrian Cultural Heritage”

12:50-13:10 (Syria) / 18:50-19:10 (Japan)
Prof. Yoko Taniguchi (University of Tsukuba, Japan)
“Inventory and Conservation at the Bamiyan site, Afghanistan,
and 20 years of Technical Support for the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza”

13:20-13:50 (Syria) / 19:20-19:50 (Japan)
Dr. Salam al-Kuntar (Rutgers University, USA) & Ammar Kannawi (SIMAT, Syria)
“Syrians for Heritage Association (SIMAT): Efforts to Safeguarding Syrian
Cultural Heritage and Future Collaboration”

13:50-14:10 (Syria) / 20:30-21:00 (Japan)
Dr. Sari Jammo (Nagoya University, Japan)
“Ain Dara Project: Documentation Work and Future Vision”

14:10-15:00 (Syria) / 20:10-21:00 (Japan) Discussion & Closing