Tarihi noted, “The first step on the road of the archaeological sites’ maintenance has begun with the encouragement and promotion of the cultural, artistic and tourist activities and events in those locations.”
Among said events, the first Khan al-Nakheel annual festival, organized by the city, was held Feb. 12 to showcase Karbala’s historic landmarks, featuring artistic segments such as photography, poetry and graphic arts.
The Imam Hussein Center revealed Feb. 26 a project for the maintenance and restoration of historic manuscripts, as well as training for specialized staff in coordination with the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq.
In the context of promoting archaeological tourism, the Archaeology Department at the University of Babylon organized a field visit for its students to the Fortress of al-Ukhaidir on Feb. 26.
In 2009, the Tourism Directorate in Karbala decided to revive the Ukhaidir Cultural Festival, which used to be held under Saddam’s regime and attracted tourists, writers and poets from all over the world.
Iraq was successful in including its endangered marshes to the list of World Heritage sites on July 17, 2016, which seems to be an incentive today to work for the addition of other cities such as Najaf, near Karbala, and the archaeological city of Babylon.
(Picture credit: Aziz1005)
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