Patrimoines en résistance: Paris exhibition on war-threatened UNESCO sites
The exhibition 'Patrimoines en résistance' at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris focuses on UNESCO World Heritage sites threatened by conflict, and will be open until January 3, 2027. It addresses the devastation from Gaza to Ukraine and emphasizes global efforts for preservation. The event reflects on the 2012 destruction of Timbuktu's mausoleums by Ansar Dine jihadists, which The Hague classified as a war crime, and the subsequent international efforts for reconstruction. It also chronicles the Islamic State's 2015 destruction of Palmyra and the Taliban's 2001 demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas. UNESCO's 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' project has restored 124 historic homes. In Gaza, 164 heritage sites have suffered damage since 2023, while Ukraine's Transfiguration Cathedral was heavily impacted in July 2023, with restoration set to commence in 2024.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Patrimoines en résistance' at Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine, Paris, until January 3, 2027
- Covers destruction of UNESCO sites from Gaza to Ukraine, Darfur to Iraq
- 2012 destruction of Timbuktu mausoleums by Ansar Dine was first deemed a war crime by The Hague
- Islamic State destroyed Palmyra's Lion of Athena statue, temples of Baalshamin and Bel in 2015
- Khaled al-Asaad, former director of Palmyra antiquities, killed by Islamic State on August 18, 2015
- Taliban dynamited Bamiyan Buddhas in March 2001; site inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2003
- UNESCO's 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' initiative (2018) rehabilitated 124 houses, 4 religious monuments, 400+ classrooms
- 81% of Gaza buildings damaged or destroyed as of October 11, 2025; 164 heritage sites damaged since 2023
- Odessa's Transfiguration Cathedral damaged July 22-23, 2023; restoration started 2024 with UNESCO and Italian cooperation
- Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement signed August 8, 2025; Kirants Monastery affected by border demarcation
Entities
Artists
- Khaled al-Asaad
Institutions
- Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine
- UNESCO
- Ansar Dine
- Islamic State (Daech)
- Taliban
- Aliph Foundation
- Agence italienne pour la coopération au développement
- Iconem
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Timbuktu
- Mali
- Palmyra
- Syria
- Bamiyan
- Afghanistan
- Mossoul
- Iraq
- Gaza
- Palestine
- Odessa
- Ukraine
- Crimée
- Russia
- Haut-Karabagh
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Tavush
- Kirants
- Gaza-ville
- al-Shati
- Jabaliya
- Kaboul
- al-Nouri mosque
- al-Omari mosque
- Transfiguration Cathedral
- Kirants Monastery