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Protecting Cultural Heritage In Times Of Disaster

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Creative Commons
Palmyra.

The Syrian city of Palmyra has found itself in the midst of a cultural crisis. Last month, the city was seized by the self-proclaimed Islamic State, raising concerns about the security of its ancient temples and artifacts. 

This hour, from Syria to Iraq, we find out what’s being done to protect thousands of cultural heritage sites from the threat of ISIS.

Later, we also consider how we protect our own cultural treasures here in the United States.

GUESTS:

  • Stefan Simon - Director of the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage at Yale University
  • AmrAl-Azm - Associate Professor of History and Anthropology at Shawnee State University; Chair of the Syrian Heritage Task Force
  • Patty Gerstenblith - Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law at DePaul University
  • Richard Kurin - Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

John Dankosky and Chion Wolf contributed to this show. 

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

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