Palmyra: Bridging Past and Future

The destruction of Palmyra’s cultural heritage by ISIS militants, particularly its major monuments in 2015, has sparked global debates on heritage loss amid conflict. This study highlights the urgent need to (re)consider the role of local communities in heritage preservation and their rights to heritage, arguing that their exclusion exacerbates the discontinuity between Palmyra’s past and future. The research examines selective narratives and official instrumentalization in Palmyra’s history while analyzing current heritage debates through the lens of ongoing conflict. It advocates for a more inclusive approach to heritage conservation, emphasizing community engagement as a bridge between past and future.

Elcheikh, Z. (2022). Palmyra: Bridging Past and Future. 50 Years World Heritage Convention: Shared Responsibility – Conflict & Reconciliation, 163–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05660-4_13