October 25, 2022
On Monday, October 24, 2022, the launch and signing ceremony of HRH Princess Dana Firas’ book “Unique and Outstanding: Jordan’s World Heritage Sites” took place at the Cultural Hub – Bayt Yaish in Jabal al-Weibdeh.
This publication seeks to illustrate the rich diversity of Jordan’s cultural heritage sites, including those that have been successfully listed as well as those sites which may be recognized in the future. Funding for this publication was provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Sustainable Cultural Heritage Through Engagement of Local Communities Project (SCHEP), and implemented by the American Center of Research (ACOR) in cooperation with the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)-Jordan and photographer Bashar Al-Tabbaa.
During the launch, HRH Princess Dana Firas, president of ICOMOS-Jordan, emphasized the council’s role in supporting and promoting the preservation of Jordan’s national cultural heritage through awareness and capacity building programs, coordination, consultation, and also through the supporting of research in the areas of protection, conservation, management, and continuity of our cultural heritage. In addition to the council’s role in promoting and raising the level of discourse in the fields of heritage preservation, Princess Dana Firas also gave emphasis to the council’s role in providing consultation and serving as an advisory body to Jordan’s national organizations on issues related to our cultural heritage.
Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman, executive director of the American Center of Research (ACOR), also stressed the importance and impact of the cooperation between the American Center and ICOMOS-Jordan to foster and promote the preservation and conservation of Jordanian cultural heritage. Through this cooperation and by assisting those of national governments, local communities, and international projects and institutions, the American Center seeks to preserve, explicate, share, and record the rich history of Jordan and the region.
HRH Princess Dana Firas, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, is a global advocate for heritage protection and preservation for sustainable development. She leads a number of organizations in Jordan and globally that work to preserve heritage and promote culture and the arts. She is passionate about cultural heritage preservation and the role it plays in developing vibrant communities, promoting inclusive identity and responsible citizenship, and in building understanding and peace.
The event was followed by a book signing and a presentation of a group of photos of Jordan’s World Heritage sites, photographed by Bashar Al-Tabbaa.
Listen to Princess Dana Firas on the benefits of becoming a member of ICOMOS-Jordan.
