Werede Hagos, University of Florida
“Colonial Architectures and Archaeological Sites: Assessing the Selection of Tangible Heritage Sites in Eritrea”
On July 8, 2017, Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, is in UNESCO World Heritage List. “Asmara: A Modernist City of Africa” holds one of the most remarkable Italian colonial buildings, encompasses futurist, art deco, monumental, and eclectic style of architectures. As a center of Italian colonial administration since 1890-1941, massive infrastructure works were done in Asmara, sometimes dubbed as “Piccola Roma”-Little Rome. However, other magnificent archaeological sites of the country which are existed for thousands of years are on the verge of total dilapidation, are neglected by the government, and seen as a threat to development. This presentation highlighted the need to prioritize in preserving the country’s heritage as Eritrean government exclusively regarded colonial architectures as heritage.
“Colonial Architectures and Archaeological Sites: Assessing the Selection of Tangible Heritage Sites in Eritrea”
On July 8, 2017, Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, is in UNESCO World Heritage List. “Asmara: A Modernist City of Africa” holds one of the most remarkable Italian colonial buildings, encompasses futurist, art deco, monumental, and eclectic style of architectures. As a center of Italian colonial administration since 1890-1941, massive infrastructure works were done in Asmara, sometimes dubbed as “Piccola Roma”-Little Rome. However, other magnificent archaeological sites of the country which are existed for thousands of years are on the verge of total dilapidation, are neglected by the government, and seen as a threat to development. This presentation highlighted the need to prioritize in preserving the country’s heritage as Eritrean government exclusively regarded colonial architectures as heritage.
CAS News Bulletin- Week of September 25, 2017