World heritage erased: SPK magazine dedicated to the protection of cultural assets and published in a new layout
Press release from 07/01/2015
Shortly after the Bonn Declaration on the protection of endangered cultural sites on the occasion of the 39th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the new SPK magazine reports on the threats to cultural treasures worldwide.
"Our cultural heritage has been under threat for five years now. In a number of cities, buildings and souks have been turned into piles of rubble, especially in Aleppo. It is reminiscent of the horrors of the Second World War." Strong words from Maamoun Abdulkarim, head of the Syrian Antiquities Authority. He describes the conditions in Palmyra exclusively for the new SPK magazine, which will be published this Wednesday.
In the thematic focus "The obliterated world heritage", the magazine reports on the terrorist violence against ancient sites in Syria and Iraq. However, it also makes clear that looting, illicit excavations and illegal trade are a worldwide phenomenon. Reports and documentaries make it clear how important international co-operation is in order to preserve the heritage of mankind: ZDF journalist Alexander Bühler describes from the border region between Turkey and Syria how the perfidious trade works, Iraqi publicist Amir Musawy talks about what his country now expects from the West and Neil Brodie from the University of Glasgow describes the network of a global crime. In the new issue, you can also read about what the Foundation itself is doing to protect cultural assets. It is important to the Foundation's President and archaeologist Hermann Parzinger to draw attention to the problem: "The Islamic State is destroying the cultural heritage of all mankind in the Middle East. As a cultural institution, we must not look away from this incomprehensible event - we must stand up for the preservation of these treasures!"
The magazine, redesigned by StudioKrimm, will be published twice a year in future. The 72-page magazine also features news from the five SPK institutions. The articles on the main topic can now be found directly in the magazine as translations. The SPK magazine can be subscribed to by e-mail via the website of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.