BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. From July 21 to
August 2, Riga will host a high-level international training
session focused on enhancing knowledge and skills related to
cultural heritage protection in the face of disasters, extreme
weather events, and complex emergencies, Trend reports.
The program is organized by the International Centre for the
Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
(ICCROM) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Latvia as
part of the READY project, launched earlier this year.
More than 24 cultural heritage professionals from 20 countries
will gather in Riga for this intensive two-week training led by
experts in heritage and risk management.
Participants will develop practical skills in risk assessment,
emergency preparedness planning, first aid for heritage, and
strategies for protecting both cultural collections and living
heritage during crisis scenarios.
“Cultural heritage is essential to national identity. It’s vital
that we see real, coordinated action—both locally and
internationally—to protect and preserve it. Latvia is proud to
contribute to Europe’s collective resilience by hosting this group
of leading experts,” Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce
emphasized.
The training curriculum was designed by top-level international
specialists, including professionals from cultural institutions,
academic and research bodies, civil protection agencies, NGOs, and
global organizations. The READY project also focuses on
community-based disaster risk management, recognizing the critical
role of local knowledge and traditions in both preparation and
recovery.
The READY initiative is a 38-month project funded by the
European Union through its Creative Europe program. It is led by
ICCROM under the umbrella of its First Aid and Resilience for
Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAR) initiative, with
contributions from partners in Latvia, Ukraine, France, Cyprus,
Spain, Croatia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Italy, and Belgium.