In addition to traditional humanitarian and development assistance, the Hungary Helps Program places a unique emphasis on the protection of universal cultural heritage. We fully agree with UNESCO’s vision that cultural heritage is vital to both for humanity and for local communities.
The restoration of cultural heritage in areas affected by man-made or natural disasters also plays a key role in keeping communities together and restoring hope, and thus contributes significantly to keeping communities in their homes. One of our key partners in the field of cultural heritage protection is ALIPH, an international organisation dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage threatened by conflict. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between ALIPH and Hungary Helps Agency in 2022, allowing for joint action. The Hungary Helps Program’s support for the conservation of unique built heritage is mainly focused on the Middle East and the Western Balkans.
Over the past almost 7 years, the Hungary Helps Program has supported more than 350 projects, of which almost 40 projects have been partially or fully dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage, and 25 of these projects have been implemented in the Middle East. As the cradle of monotheistic religions, the region is home to many of the world’s holy sites, which form an integral part of the universal cultural heritage. According to tradition, more than one of the Christian communities of the Levant received Christianity from the apostles of Christ; their language, sacred traditions, written and architectural culture reflect these times. As many of these minority communities are in danger of disappearing due to the region’s civil wars and economic crises, it is vital that their built and spiritual heritage is preserved, transmitted, and documented. They are a remnant of the past, and still form the cornerstone of the identity, spiritual and cultural life of the people who live here. They are collective values that are part of everyday life for the members of the religious communities living here and form a strong bond. As well as strengthening social cohesion and creating a vision of a shared future, cultural heritage also plays an important role in maintaining livelihoods and stability. By harnessing the potential of religious and cultural tourism, jobs can be created that keep people local, creating the conditions for a peaceful and prosperous society in which people can thrive in their homeland.
We value all projects we have supported in recent years. Here are some flagship projects that illustrate the importance of cultural heritage protection at both national and governmental levels.
