The US Embassy to Yemen has announced two significant initiatives dedicated to preserving and restoring Yemen’s invaluable cultural heritage.
The Embassy said in a statement that in partnership with the Yemeni Ministry of Culture, it launched a significant restoration project for the historic Al-Qahira Castle in Taiz.
Funded by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the initiative will focus on the restoration of key areas and the reconstruction of its museum destroyed during the conflict, said the statement.
Al-Qahira Castle, a landmark of Yemen’s rich cultural history, stands as a testament to the nation’s resilience and heritage.
“This castle is not just a monument; it is a symbol of Yemen’s rich and diverse history and cultural resilience. Preserving Al-Qahira Castle ensures that future generations of Yemenis will have access to their shared history and heritage,” said US Ambassador Steven Fagin.
Fagin also emphasized the collaborative spirit behind this project: “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, our committed implementing partners, the local community in Taiz who have shown tremendous cooperation and enthusiasm in this preservation effort.”
The US Mission, with support from the Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grant (CPAIG), also launched a project aimed at preventing the illicit trafficking of Yemeni cultural heritage, said the statement.
“The initiative, in collaboration with the Yemeni Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Interior, will help establish a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated to combatting illegal cultural property trafficking,” it said.
“The project will provide capacity-building programs, enhance regional and international cooperation, and foster local community engagement through educational campaigns and public outreach,” it added.
Fagin said the project underscores America’s shared commitment to preserving Yemen’s cultural heritage for future generations. “We are honored to work alongside the Yemeni government in this vital effort to protect Yemen’s historical and cultural identity.”
Accoridng to the Embassy statement, the initiative builds on the US-Yemen Cultural Property Agreement signed in August 2023, which enforces US import restrictions on Yemeni cultural materials, further solidifying bilateral cooperation in heritage preservation.
“Both initiatives highlight the crucial role of cultural heritage in Yemen’s social and economic fabric and the global importance of preserving the country’s rich historical legacy,” it said, vowing to remain “steadfast in its commitment to protecting and promoting Yemen’s cultural treasures for the benefit of future generations.”
