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Graduation Ceremony for Craftspeople and Exhibition on UNESCO and ICCROM's Mosul Heritage Recovery Programme
UNESCO and ICCROM celebrated the graduation of the 79 craftspeople who successfully completed the second track on Building Crafts Revival and Upgrading of the Heritage Recovery Programme in Mosul project, based on a needs assessment to map the existing typology of crafts, the level of skills available in Mosul, the locations of craftspeople, their demographic, social and economic profiles, the impact of conflict on these crafts, and current challenges and needs. Thus, UNESCO and ICCROM focused on traditional and modern carpentry, blacksmithing, stone masonry, and alabaster work, and involved international experts to bring back essential know-how that could have been lost as the industry favoured less expensive techniques and materials.
The carpentry workshop took place over 51 days and covered personal safety, different types, sizes, shapes, and origins of wood, measurements, wood cutting, and basic joinery techniques, producing and repairing doors, windows and furniture using both modern and traditional techniques.
The 66-day alabaster workshop focused on building techniques, carving and sculpting. Supported by local and international experts, trainees explored restoration using epoxy and various types of mortar.
Finally, the 59-day workshop on stone masonry, included plastering and construction of walls, arches, vaults, and domes, including theoretical discussions on the characteristics of Mosul limestone to the tools, cleaning and practical sessions working with stone itself.
The needs assessment revealed an urgent need to revive traditional blacksmithing in Mosul, particularly the skills to produce hand-forged handrails and window protection without modern electric welding. As the same technique is present in other historic Arab cities, UNESCO and ICCROM involved a highly skilled master blacksmith from Cairo who undertook several missions to Mosul to conduct various assessments, a 15-day Training of Trainers, and a 52-day workshop for semi-skilled blacksmiths.
The UNESCO and ICCROM Heritage Recovery Programme in Mosul is a capacity-building project implemented in partnership with UNESCO, the Iraqi Government, the University of Mosul, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union within UNESCO’s flagship Initiative “Revive the Spirit of Mosul”.
In this framework, UNESCO and ICCROM also trained architects and civil engineers on the tools that are crucial for such a recovery process and how to apply them on case studies in conditions very similar to what they may encounter in their future endeavours, as part of the first track on Professional development for building professionals.
