The "Stewards of Cultural Heritage (SoCH) Program" aims to prepare five Syrian heritage specialists for the post-conflict period in Syria. Doing so, it provides workshops, seminars or conservation projects. Furthermore, the awardees are carrying out their individual studies, including an oral history project, different projects to restore and preserve heritage sites in Aleppo or preparing non-formal educational material for Syrian children about their cultural heritage. Diana Miznazi is the coordinator of the project - in an interview, she reports how the project will help Syrians reviving their identity and educating younger generations about their cultural heritage.
L.I.S.A.: What is the project about? And who are the Stewards of Cultural Heritage?
Miznazi: In response to the massive destruction of the Syrian Cultural Heritage, with the overall aim of safeguarding this heritage and as a part of the Zero Hour - A future for the post-crisis period project, the German Archaeological Institute (DAI), Istanbul Department, launched the “Stewards of Cultural Heritage- SoCH” project in October 2016. The SoCH project is a 24 months scholarship program, which is co-funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation. The Stewards of Cultural Heritage are five Syrian heritage specialists (archaeologists and architects) based in Turkey, who were chosen to carry out their own proposed projects within the framework of their training and in preparation for post-conflict period in Syria. To facilitate these projects, the program is based on two main educational elements; workshops and seminars and a practical conservation project carried out in an archaeological site in South-East Turkey.
L.I.S.A.: What is your role in the project and why do you do it?
Miznazi: I have been coordinating the SoCH project for over a year now. I chose to be involved in this project, as I believe in the utmost importance of educating the Syrians about cultural heritage, so they can have a positive active role in the reconstruction of their country when the conflict is over.