IIC Congress 2010

Conservation and the Eastern Mediterranean

Date: 20-24 September 2010
Location: Istanbul

The lands and the islands of the Eastern Mediterranean, from the Balkans through Turkey and the Levant to Egypt, have been home to many of the world’s most important and most ancient civilisations. The material evidence of these cultures and traditions is everywhere: in archaeological sites, in museums and in buildings. Today this region presents a vivid and dynamic cultural mosaic as the museums, palaces, sacred places, libraries and archives, cultural centres, sites, monuments and living communities continue to add to the rich and varied landscape. From ancient sites to contemporary sculpture; luxury textiles to elaborate manuscripts; painted masterpieces to civic monuments and grand buildings, the Eastern Mediterranean offers insights unique to its heritage. Come and follow the thread from the depth of antiquity to the vibrant cultures of today.

The twenty-third IIC Congress will take place in the spectacular and historic city of Istanbul, the European Cultural Capital for 2010. In conjunction with the Sakip Sabanci Museum, the many Congress events will focus on the conservation of moveable and immovable heritage in or from the Eastern Mediterranean. This will include material held in collections around the world: the care and conservation of artifacts, of sites, and the preservation of extraordinary architecture, reflecting the influences that have made the region one of the world’s richest centres of heritage. The conference will bring together the international professional community to present and exchange ideas, to debate conservation practices and cutting edge research, to consider exciting new developments and thought provoking challenges, and to make new connections between this region and all corners of the world.

The Congress will take place on 20 to 24 September 2010 and will include four days of papers and a day of excursions in and around Istanbul. It is also hoped to arrange excursions during the weekend after the Congress. The languages of the Congress will be English and Turkish, with simultaneous translation. The preprints will be published in English with abstracts in Turkish.

Registration will open in February 2010.

Further Information:
IIC International Institute
for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
6 Buckingham Street
London WC2N 6BA • UK
Tel.: +44 (0)20 7839 5975
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 1564
eMail: iic@iiconservation.org
web: www.iiconservation.org/congress