ALIPH supports Iraqi Manuscript House projects
Director of the Iraqi Manuscripts House, Ahmed Karim Al-Alyawi, with a delegation from ALIPH.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Director of the Iraqi Manuscripts House, Ahmed Karim Al-Alyawi, discussed cooperation with a delegation from the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH).
Al-Alyawi and ALIPH delegation discussed cooperation between the Iraqi Manuscripts House and the National Library of France (BNF), with which the house concluded a memorandum of cooperation in October 2022.
The memorandum entered into force after ALIPH provided a financial grant to meet the requirements of the Iraqi Manuscripts House’s projects, in areas related to photography, maintenance, restoration, the launch of a website and the establishment of a digital archiving system.
Al-Alyawi, during a meeting with ALIPH delegation, presented details of the work plan, and the talked about the desire of the Iraqi Manuscripts House to communicate and cooperate with reputable institutions in the field of manuscripts, especially the ones that would provide support for the projects of the house, which faces challenges related to the protection of manuscripts.
After the Iraqi Manuscripts House suffered from serious neglect, no plans were put forward to protect the manuscripts, monitor the needs of its departments, and prepare for potential risks. This led to an increased risk to the original copies of manuscripts, and prompted the development of a comprehensive plan to save it from imminent danger.
The delegation emphasized its continued support for the Iraqi Manuscripts House’s projects after the value of its precious contents appeared and became evident in international forums, especially following the tours Al-Alyawi made to several countries, and his continuous communications with the supporting authorities, to reveal the volume of Arab and foreign heritage the manuscripts contain.
Al-Alyawi accompanied ALIPH delegation in a visit to the Iraqi Manuscripts House’s departments and briefed them on work progress, expressing appreciation for the work of the Iraqi Manuscripts House’s team, which presents its projects according to a vision outlining the reality of work, its requirements and current challenges.