EU and ALIPH Launch “Women and Heritage” Exhibition at International Restoration Week in Riyadh, Celebrating Global Female Leadership in Cultural Preservation

EU and ALIPH Launch

Waqar Naseem Wamiq, Riyadh, – The EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the International alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH) presented on 2nd October the exhibition “Women and Heritage” at the International Restoration Week.

One day before the opening of this first-ever international event, Director General of the European Commission Directorate General for MENA Mr Stefano Sannino, H.E. EU Ambassador Christophe Farnaud, and Mr. Valéry Freland, ALIPH Foundation Executive Director, visited the exhibition honouring the vibrant partnership between the EU, the Heritage Commission, the ALIPH Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia .

The exhibition features women who are implementing ALIPH-supported projects to protect cultural heritage in some of the most complicated contexts in the world, alongside Saudi heritage professionals. It showcases 14 protagonists from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Georgia, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

To officially inaugurate the exhibition, CEO of the Heritage Commission, H.E. Dr. Jasir Al Herbish, welcomed the EU Deputy Head of the Delegation, Ms. Irina Gusačenko, and the honorable panelists, reinforcing the importance of international efforts in preserving cultural heritage.

In the words of the EU Deputy Head of the Delegation, Ms. Irina Gusačenko: “The European Union is proud to deepen the partnership with the Heritage Commission, the ALIPH Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia to present Women and Heritage. This exhibition is more than a celebration of women’s pivotal role in safeguarding culture; it is also a reflection of the growing partnership between the EU and the Kingdom. By working together to preserve and showcase heritage, we strengthen cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and the bonds that connect our societies.”

Moderating the panel, Dr. Sandra Bialystok, ALIPH Director of Communications and Partnerships: “The stories shared by today’s panelists, echoed by those in the exhibition, reveal the many paths that heritage protection can take, yet all united by the same mission: safeguarding our collective patrimony. During this Restoration Week, we hope these voices inspire delegates and strengthen the shared commitment that brings us together.”

The speakers of the panel debate were:

Dr. Noura Ghabra, Assistant Professor of Architecture at King AbdulAziz University
Ms. Rut Ballesteros, Cultural Heritage Conservation Manager at the Royal Commission for AlUla
Ms. Roseann (Razan) Tariq Sijeeni, World Heritage Nomination Senior Specialist, UNESCO
Dr. Nadine Panayot, Curator of the American University of Beirut’s Archaeological Museum, and Associate Professor of Practice at the Department of History and Archaeology
Dr. Anahi Alviso-Marino, Researcher and scholar working at the intersection of social sciences, artistic practices and protocols/games focused on monuments of the Arabian Peninsula
Moderated by Dr Sandra Bialystok, Director of Communications and Partnerships at ALIPH.
The objective of the photo exhibition is to highlight the vital role of women in the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly in areas affected by conflict, post-conflict recovery, and climate change. It features portraits of women artisans, conservators, architects, and archaeologists actively engaged in safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Each portrait captures not only their professional expertise but also their personal commitment and resilience, reflecting the essential contribution of women to cultural preservation.
The International Restoration Week aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving architectural heritage. The exhibition will feature the participation of leading international and local companies specializing in the restoration of heritage buildings.