Funding to Restore Eight Cultural Heritage Sites Including Historic Kitchen Garden of Versailles and Iconic British Piers Damaged from Effects of Climate Change
American Express (NYSE:AXP) and World Monuments Fund (WMF) today
announced $1 million in funding to support preservation efforts at eight
endangered cultural heritage sites included on the 2018 World Monuments
Watch.
The funded sites face threats from the effects of natural disaster,
climate change, urbanization, and neglect, and date from prehistory to
the twentieth century. They were included on the biennial Watch to
identify opportunities for collaboration and positive impact. Now,
grants from American Express will make projects possible at the
following places:
Potager du Roi in Versailles, France; Grand Theater of Prince Kung’s
Mansion in Beijing, China; the town of Amatrice, Italy; Kagawa
Prefectural Gymnasium in Takamatsu, Japan; Tebaida Leonesa in León,
Spain; Blackpool Piers in Blackpool, England; Matobo Hills Cultural
Landscape in Matobo, Zimbabwe; and Monte Albán Archaeological Site in
Oaxaca, Mexico.
“As the founding sponsor of the World Monuments Watch, American Express
is committed to advocating for the protection of our most treasured
landmarks around the globe,” said Timothy J. McClimon, President of the
American Express Foundation. “We recognize these sites as symbols of
national and local identity, and value the role that their preservation
can play in attracting visitors and revitalizing communities.”
“For more than 20 years, American Express has been an unmatched champion
of the world’s most treasured places.” said Joshua David, President and
CEO, World Monument Fund. “Their leadership and support of the World
Monuments Watch allows us to support international partners in the
protection, conservation, and stewardship of sites of cultural heritage,
helping to strengthen communities around the world.”
The World Monuments Watch works with local communities to bring their
treasured cultural heritage sites to an international stage. Announced
in October 2017 with founding sponsor American Express, the 2018 Watch
includes a diverse group of 25 sites spanning more than 30 countries and
territories that face daunting threats or present unique conservation
opportunities.
Over the past 20 years, American Express has given nearly $18 million to
help preserve 166 World Monuments Watch sites in 71 countries. It has
also partnered with a number of leading organizations to help preserve
sites in need, build awareness, and engage the public in preservation
efforts across the world. Through these partnerships and other
individual grants, American Express has granted more than $60 million to
support hundreds of preservation projects.
Potager du Roi; Versailles, France
The historic kitchen garden of the Palace of Versailles was created more
than 300 years ago to fulfill King Louis XIV’s vision of creating the
most impressive palace in the world. The garden has been at the cutting
edge ever since, introducing new microclimates and methods for producing
harvests in and out of season, and developing hybrid fruits and
vegetables. Today, stewards of Potager du Roi are looking for new ways
to engage visitors and address maintenance challenges.
Grand Theater of Prince Kung’s Mansion; Beijing,
China
The Grand Theater at Prince Kung’s Mansion is the largest and only
imperial mansion theater open to the public in Beijing, China. The
theater was added to the celebrated eighteenth-century residence as part
of a pleasure garden, staging plays and entertaining guests. Today, the
residence operates as a museum and the theater continues to be used for
performances. Funds will be used to build an international, scientific
conservation partnership aimed at recovering the original appearance and
historic authenticity of the theater during Prince Kung’s era.
Amatrice, Italy
The hill town of Amatrice, Italy, suffered a series of devastating
earthquakes in 2016, destroying the majority of the town and causing 299
deaths and approximately 400 injuries. Amatrice was included on the
Watch to bring awareness to its state and the need for better disaster
prevention and preparedness. Funds will be used towards restoration
efforts at the Museo Cola Filotesio, whose bell tower survived but
requires comprehensive stabilization and conservation.
Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium; Takamatsu, Japan
The beloved modern landmark was built by renowned architect Kenzo Tange
in the 1960s and hosted local sports events for 50 years until its
suspended roof began to leak. The facility was closed to the public in
2014 as a result of these structural issues; it also no longer meets
current gymnasium requirements. Funds will be used to support local
advocates in their campaign to preserve and repurpose the structure to
meet a community need.
Tebaida Leonesa; León, Spain
The rural communities of the Tebaida Leonesa, a rugged, mountainous
area, originated in the seventh century. Since then, the valley has
preserved its cultural, natural, and immaterial values as well as much
of its exceptional medieval architecture. Now, the communities face the
challenges of preserving the character of their villages and landscape
in the face of growing tourism and development. Funds will be used to
restore the original wall paintings of the Church of Santiago de
Peñalba, a tenth century masterpiece of Mozarabic architecture.
Blackpool Piers; Blackpool, England
For more than a century, generations of working-class Britons have
vacationed at Blackpool and visited its three iconic piers on the Irish
Sea coast of England. Today, the piers are threatened by dangerous
sea-level rise as a result of climate change. Privately owned, they are
ineligible to receive public funding for rehabilitation. Funds will be
used to facilitate expanded dialogue between local groups and the pier
owners and explore new models for their rehabilitation.
Matobo Hills Cultural Landscape; Matobo, Zimbabwe
The dramatic cultural landscape, home to one of the world’s great rock
art collections, marks critical stages in human history and evolution,
reaching back 100,000 years. The World Heritage Site continues to be
deeply associated with cultural and religious traditions. Today, its
important rock art is threatened by deforestation, the risk of fires,
and other human activities. Funds will be used to work with local
heritage authorities on improved documentation and conservation plans at
the site.
Monte Albán Archaeological Site; Oaxaca, Mexico
Known for its unique hieroglyphic inscriptions, the sixth-century
metropolis provides insight into the ancient Zapotec civilization.
Fifteen structures were affected following a September 2017 earthquake,
with five showing severe damage that requires emergency structural
shoring to prevent collapse. Funds will be used for a project in
partnership with INAH to address the long-term stability of Monte Albán,
including physical conservation, documentation, and geological
assessment. The program will also emphasize training and capacity
building, giving local technicians the skills they need to effectively
repair and prepare Monte Albán for future natural disasters.
Visit www.wmf.org/2018watch
to learn more.
Images available upon request.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with
access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build
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About World Monuments Fund
World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization
devoted to saving the world’s treasured places. For more than 50 years,
working in over 100 countries, its highly skilled experts have applied
proven and effective techniques to the preservation of important
architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through
partnerships with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks
to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations.
Headquartered in New York City, the organization has offices and
affiliates worldwide. Visit www.wmf.org
for more information, or connect with us on www.facebook.com/worldmonuments,
www.twitter.com/worldmonuments,
and instagram.com/worldmonumentsfund.
Press Contacts:
American Express,
Jocelyn Seidenfeld, 212-640-0555
Jocelyn.f.seidenfeld@aexp.com
or
World Monuments Fund
Hillary Prim, 646-424-9582
hprim@wmf.org