Cité de l'architecture exhibition warns of heritage destruction in war zones from Gaza to Odessa
The exhibition "Patrimoines en résistance" at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris is divided into three parts: "Effacer," "Résister," and "Réparer." The "Effacer" section focuses on the devastation of cultural heritage in nations such as Afghanistan, Yemen, and Ukraine. It opens with Taysir Batniji's "Au cas où #2" (2024), which features 253 images of displaced individuals from Gaza, including Hatem Kamal Mohamed Dalloul, who escaped on November 11, 2023. Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, 81% of Gaza's structures have suffered damage, with more than 123,000 completely destroyed. Curators Elisabeth Essaïan and Mathilde Leloup emphasize the erasure of 5,000 years of history. The exhibition is scheduled from May 20, 2026, to January 11, 2027.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Patrimoines en résistance' at Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine, Paris, from May 20, 2026 to January 11, 2027.
- Three parts: 'Effacer', 'Résister', 'Réparer'.
- Taysir Batniji's work 'Au cas où #2' shows keys of displaced Gazans.
- 81% of Gaza buildings damaged, over 123,000 destroyed, including 128 historic buildings.
- Destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas (2001), Diyarbakir (2015-2017), Palmyra (ISIS), Timbuktu (Ansar Dine).
- UNESCO, Aliph, Aga Khan Trust for Culture involved in protection.
- Aleppo souk restoration: 5,500 m² and 440 shops rehabilitated.
- Architect Martin Duplantier designs underground schools in Ukraine.
- Yalla Project revitalizes historic neighborhoods in Nablus, Palestine.
Entities
Artists
- Taysir Batniji
- Hatem Kamal Mohamed Dalloul
- Cynthia Fleury
- Gilles Carbonnier
- Elisabeth Essaïan
- Mathilde Leloup
- Julien Bargeton
- Salma Samar Damluji
- Martin Duplantier
- Yan Morvan
- Khalil Amer
- Pascal Convert
- Ali Jadallah
- Anatolii Stepanov
Institutions
- Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine
- UNESCO
- Aliph (Alliance internationale pour la protection du patrimoine)
- Aga Khan Trust for Culture
- Iconem
- ADAGP
- AFP
- Anadolu
- DGAM
- Yalla Project
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Gaza
- Palestine
- Israel
- Afghanistan
- Yemen
- Mali
- Sudan
- Turkey
- Armenia
- Ukraine
- Bamiyan
- Diyarbakir
- Kurdistan
- Palmyra
- Syria
- Timbuktu
- Aleppo
- Odessa
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Hadramawt
- Nablus
- Mykolaiv
- Snigurika
- Liban
- Karamé