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20 November

• From Olympia's Workshop on World Heritage and Disasters: Joint Communiqué of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture
  The devastating fires that raged across Greece in the summer of 2007 seriously affected the World Heritage site of Olympia, stopping short of destroying its Museum and archaeological area, which could only be saved thanks to the strenuous efforts of the responsible authorities. Disasters such as the one that threatened Olympia are in fact increasing, including as a result of climate change, and are affecting each year many precious heritage sites, exposed to numerous natural and man-made hazards.
  

14 November

• EPBC Act under Independent Review
  Environment Minister, Peter Garrett tonight used a speech to the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference to announce that the national environment legislation –the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act–would undergo independent review. Mr Garrett said the review was the first since the Act commenced operation almost a decade ago and comes at a critical time for the nation as the threat of climate change! and environmental degradation put some of our most important natural assets at risk.

10 November

• <WHTour.org> : the gorillas' Impenetrable jungle of Bwindi in Uganda in 360º
  World Heritage Tour is a non-profit organization documenting the UNESCO World Heritage List in panographies - interactive 360 x 180 degree imaging. This is for those who are unable to travel for whatever reason, and also a legacy to future generations. Soon documentation and reproduction will be the only ways to see, enjoy and share many past glories that are slowly disappearing because of climate change and natural disasters. Tito Dupret, assisted by Bijuan Chen, is the engine of the organization. <WHTour.org> is alive thanks to the J.M. Kaplan Fund, the donors and the staff.

7 November

• Rehabilitation of the terraces of the Château de Chambord
  12 years of work and 6 million euros were needed for Chambord's Chauvigny stone terraces to be restored to their former glory. The work consisted of relaying and stitching about 1,200 slabs, a quarter of which needed replacing: the terraces had not been renovated since the 17th century.

• The Riga Art Nouveau Centre has now a new website and new Art Nouveau style premises!
  The Riga Art Nouveau Centre in Latvia, that used to be mentioned on the website of the City of Riga, has now its own website where the centre and Art Nouveau architectural heritage of the city are presented and where all events related to Art nouveau in Riga are announced. The Riga Art Nouveau Centre also moved into new premises in the Art Nouveau building located at 12, Alberta street, the facade having being restored a few years ago and the interior still being in the restoration process.

• SUCCESSFUL SA ICOMOS EVENT – Wednesday 6 November – discussion of the National and World Heritage nomination of the Cornish Mining Heritage Sites at Burra and Moonta Mines, South Australia
  Over 30 people gathered at the second 2008 ICOMOS event for South Australia, held at the RAIA headquarters in Flinders St. An interesting talk was provided by Professor Philip Payton, Professor of Cornish & Australian Studies and Director, Institute of Cornish Studies at the University of Exeter. Prof Payton is one of the key people behind the proposal for South Australia’s sites to become part of a Trans National listing of Cornish Mining Heritage, involving Australia, Mexico and South Africa. The second part of the evening included an presentation by Michael Queale, from Grieve Gillett Architects, who entertained the audience with his recent conservation program on the North Terrace Uni SA building which involved cleaning and conservation of the brick and stone façade.

• The wonder that was India: Ancient Hampi 1336-1565 - a special lecture at the Immigration Museum (Melbourne - Australia) - 13 November 2008
  The city of Vijayanagara, in Ancient Hampi, is the largest and best preserved example in modern India of a Hindu kingdom. Today this World Heritage site has reclaimed some of its former recognition, following centuries of neglect. A key factor in our new appreciation of Hampi is the work of an international team of researchers led by Drs George Michell and John Fritz and through vivid documentation of the site by photographer John Gollings.

4 November

• <WHTour.org> : Yellow Mount (Huangshan) in China in 360º
  World Heritage Tour is a non-profit organization documenting the UNESCO World Heritage List in panographies - interactive 360 x 180 degree imaging. This is for those who are unable to travel for whatever reason, and also a legacy to future generations. Soon documentation and reproduction will be the only ways to see, enjoy and share many past glories that are slowly disappearing because of climate change and natural disasters. Tito Dupret, assisted by Bijuan Chen, is the engine of the organization. <WHTour.org> is alive thanks to the J.M. Kaplan Fund, the donors and the staff.

• UNESCO and International Astronomical Union sign a Memorandum of Understanding
  On 30 October 2008 the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, and the Secretary General of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), Professor Karel A. van der Hucht, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing their intention to expand their collaboration in the development of UNESCO’s “Astronomy and World Heritage” thematic initiative.

• Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Media Release – Kakadu Fees in 2010
  Environment Minister Peter Garrett today said he had accepted the Director of National Parks recommendation to reinstate park use fees at Kakadu National Park from 1 April 2010, with a full exemption for Territorians. Mr Garrett said the Howard Government had created a black hole in Kakadu’s budget with its ill-considered decision on the eve of the 2004 election to abolish visitor fees. “Kakadu is one of the world’s spectacular natural environments, encompassing nearly 20,000 square kilometres and offering visitors a unique experience of our rich Australian landscape, wildlife and Indigenous culture...

3 November

• Declaration by the UNESCO Director General concerning Virunga National Park, World Heritage site
  The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, said today he was alarmed about the violent incidents taking place in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mr Matsuura supports the statement made earlier by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, calling on “all parties to immediately cease hostilities and pursue in good faith efforts to resolve peacefully the issues.”

• Documentary on Moenjodaro (Pakistan) - ARTE TV
  The documentary about the Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (Pakistan) which will be shown on ARTE, Saturday 8th November at 21:00.

• Le Havre, France: meetings of the French world heritage properties
  The sixth meeting of the French world heritage sites took place on October 16 and 17 2008 in Le Havre. The first day was the occasion to exchange practical experiences and to deepen in specific questions of the sites listed in the world Heritage List. This year, the topic of modern urban planning and architecture, was illustrated through two round tables entitled: “Urban planning and world heritage” and “Towards a recognition of modern architecture”. Some questions regarding the authenticity of the properties listed as urban sets were approached, the recognition of this heritage at national and international level, and the necessary efforts for a quality contemporary architecture within modern urban sets.

• Hue, Vietnam: technical support. Mission from September 13 to 26, 2008
  At the request of UNESCO’s office in Hanoi, two French experts, Mr. Christian Pedlahore, PhD in architecture, architect, city planner, research professor and Mr. Jean-Jacques Dupuy, architect, city planner-landscaper, accomplished a mission in Hué from September 13 to 26, 2008 with the purpose of accompanying the Vietnamese authorities in the measures to be adopted to strengthen the conservation of the Hué site, and to organize the preventive measures for the long term adaptation of the site.

• Tourism and world heritage: French Working Group. Paris, October 9 2008
  The first meeting of the French Working Group on the topic “Tourism and world heritage” took place on October 9th, 2008 in the Ministry of Culture and Communication. The objective of this group consists in supplying the reflection of the World Heritage Center by producing a French contribution for the International Conference in 2009.

• Decentralized co-operation Riga, Lyon and Bordeaux: study trip on the conservation of historical centers
  As a result of the joint mission World heritage Center /CFU, city of Lyon and city of Bordeaux in Riga last May (see newsletter n. 10), it was organized a return mission from September 21st to 25th, 2008 in Lyon. The Latvian delegation, composed by representatives from different city departments, was also accompanied by a representative of the inspection of the State of Latvia, Mrs Katrina Kukaine, which allowed to gather around the table the main stakeholders of the city to city co-operation as well as a State representative.