The Role of the Local Community and Museums in the Renaissance of Syrian Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Abstract Syrian cultural heritage has suffered great destruction during the recent (and ongoing) conflict, but the response to this damage has been less effective than might be hoped. While the actions of extremists have received great attention in the international press, there are many other reasons that have contributed to this situation, such as the inadequate strategy of the Syrian government to preserve cultural heritage prior to the conflict and poor incentives from national and international authorities. This article researches the role of Syrian local communities in safeguarding their cultural heritage before, during, and after the war and provides a critique of the role of national and international communities. Furthermore, the article presents a proposal to encourage the local community to become a part of the process of protection. Museums have a significant role in distributing knowledge about Syrian heritage through heritage education programs.