AlUla seminar
To manage fire risks in historical and heritage sites
A pioneering global initiative that seeks to highlight the challenges facing heritage sites, especially the risk of fire, with the aim of developing sustainable risk management strategies to protect this unique heritage.
- November 26-28, 2024
It starts after:
It starts after:
Our message
Heritage is not just a past that is narrated, but rather a trust and responsibility that is carried to future generations.
Our vision
Heritage is not just a past that is narrated, but rather a trust and responsibility that is carried to future generations.
Our values
Heritage is not just a past that is narrated, but rather a trust and responsibility that is carried to future generations.
About the Symposium
AlUla to manage fire risks in historical and heritage sites
AlUla Symposium on Fire Risk Management in Historic and Heritage Sites” It is a leading global initiative that seeks to highlight the challenges facing heritage sites, especially the risk of fire, with the aim of developing sustainable risk management strategies to protect this unique heritage.
The seminar is organized Saudi ICOMOS in partnership with Royal Commission for AlUla and a group of national and international organizations to promote a culture of preventive protection and ensure the continuity of heritage sites for future generations.
Lessons learned
Heritage sites face the fires of destruction
Over the decades, prominent heritage and archaeological sites around the world have experienced fire disasters that have destroyed not only their buildings, but also erased parts of a nation’s history and culture. These fires, despite their devastation, offer us important lessons on the importance of heritage protection and risk management. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous sites and their case studies.
Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris, France (2019)
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the world’s most recognizable symbols of cultural heritage. In 2019, a massive fire broke out during restoration work, collapsing the main roof and tower of the cathedral.
Damage
Loss of key historical parts.
Cost
Restoration costs exceeded 700 million euros.
Current status
The cathedral is still under restoration, highlighting the need to develop protective systems for heritage sites.
Windsor Castle - United Kingdom (1992)
Windsor Castle, one of Britain’s most famous royal palaces, suffered a catastrophic fire caused by an electrical spark.
Damage
Large parts of the palace were destroyed.
Cost
The restoration took five years and cost more than 40 million pounds.
Current status
The accident sparked global interest in the importance of modernizing safety systems.
National Museum - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2018)
Brazil’s National Museum is the oldest museum and home to more than 20 million artifacts. A massive fire destroyed 90% of its holdings, including rare artifacts and manuscripts.
Damage
Loss of most of the contents.
Lessons
The importance of preventive maintenance and the use of modern firefighting techniques.
Symposium Partners
This symposium reflects a pioneering collaborative effort that brings together the expertise of national and international organizations to ensure the protection of heritage sites. Participants in the symposium include:
Importance and challenges
The critical importance of protecting cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is more than just monuments or archaeological sites; it is a window into a nation’s identity, history and civilization. It is an invaluable legacy that must be protected to remain a testament to the evolution of human societies. Heritage sites, such as Venice, the Sydney Opera House and the Statue of Liberty, are not only iconic tourist destinations, but also symbols that reflect people’s culture and their connection to the environment and nature.
In Saudi Arabia, heritage sites such as AlUla, Madain Saleh, and historic Jeddah are unique examples of human and civilizational heritage. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 has prioritized the preservation of this heritage by strengthening efforts to protect it from environmental, climatic, and human threats.
Symposium message
Through “AlUla Symposium on Fire Risk Management in Historic and Heritage Sites”we look forward to providing practical and sustainable solutions to protect cultural heritage from fires and environmental disasters. This symposium represents a crucial step towards building a safe future for heritage sites, balancing between preserving their authenticity and protecting them from increasing risks.
"Heritage is the memory of nations, and protecting it is our collective responsibility to ensure its continuity as a witness to our civilization for generations to come."
