The World Monuments Fund has announced the names of the 25 cultural sites that are at risk for 2020. The biennial selection for this year includes sites of cultural relevance strongly at risk because of their impact with the current events such as urbanization, natural disasters or violent conflicts.
WHAT IS THE WORLD MONUMENT FUND...
Every two years individuals, communities and other entities submit cultural sites whose integrity is deemed threatened to a panel of experts. The choice of sites among those considered in danger contributes to catalyze international attention by increasing the sensitivity of institutions and governments. World Monuments Fund, in partnership with local stakeholders, deals with community education programs and planning of specific measures and targeted interventions to preserve. Since 1996 the WMF has contributed to the cause with over 110 million dollars, while around 300 million have been donated to the cause by other entities.
THE 25 SITES SELECTED FOR 2020
This 25 sites are located in 22 countries and were selected among 250 places submitted to the Commission. Asia is in the lead with 9 sites included in the list; America follows, with 7 sites, while Europe with 5. The nature of these places its various: cultural landscapes, urban areas of historical interest, archaeological sites, industrial areas.
The presence of Notre Dame certainly stands out in the list because even after the big noise from the press in the days following the fire the cathedral remains in precarious conditions. The rescue, planning and reconstruction process will take years. But another important presence in the list is the "Bears Ears National Monument" (11,000-6,000 BC) in North America: the oldest site containing human evidence.
THE LIST
Koutammakou, Land of the Batammariba, Benin, and Togo
Ontario Place, Canada
Rapa Nui National Park, Chile
Alexan Palace, Egypt
Notre-Dame de Paris, France
Tusheti National Park, Georgia
Gingerbread Neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Historic Water Systems of the Deccan Plateau, India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, India
Mam Rashan Shrine, Iran
Inari-yu Bathhouse, Japan
Iwamatsu District, Japan
Canal Nacional, Mexico
Choijin Lama Temple, Mongolia
Traditional Burmese Teak Farmhouses, Myanmar
Chivas and Chaityas of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Anarkali Bazaar, Pakistan
Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru
Kindler Chapel, Pabianice Evangelical Cemetery, Poland
Courtyard Houses of Axerquía, Spain
Bennerley Viaduct, United Kingdom
Bears Ears National Monument, USA
Central Aguirre Historic District, USA
San Antonio Woolworth Building, USA
Traditional Houses in the Old Jewish Mahalla of Bukhara, Uzbekistan