Vernon Rapley leads the V&A’s Culture in Crisis Programme, which protects cultural heritage from threats like conflict and climate change. Inspired by the destruction of heritage by ISIS, the initiative uses the Culture in Crisis Portal to foster collaboration and awareness among preservation projects worldwide. The need for concerted action is urgent, with UNESCO reporting significant damage to cultural sites. Rapley advocates for greater involvement from cultural institutions.
Garfield Myrie from Euronews Culture interviews Vernon Rapley, Director of Cultural Heritage Protection and Security at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. Rapley leads the V&A’s Culture in Crisis Programme, a global initiative aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage from threats such as climate change and conflict. With a 24-year background in Scotland Yard, Rapley brings substantial enforcement experience to the programme. Established following the cultural destruction in Syria and Iraq by ISIS, the Culture in Crisis Programme aims to mobilise museums and individuals to take action against such losses. The initiative draws parallels with the 2014 film “The Monuments Men,” showcasing efforts to protect cultural artefacts during the Second World War. A significant tool in this initiative is the Culture in Crisis Portal, launched in 2014, which encourages collaboration among various entities focused on cultural preservation. The portal has registered over a thousand projects, enabling organisations to share information and identify synergies, enhancing the effectiveness of their efforts. Rapley highlights the urgent need for cooperative action due to ongoing threats to cultural heritage, as evidenced by a recent UNESCO report documenting damage to 435 cultural sites since early 2022. Although conflict poses a severe threat, he notes that cultural heritage faces dangers from natural disasters and unsustainable tourism practices as well. Looking ahead, Rapley expresses hope that more cultural institutions will contribute to heritage preservation efforts. He acknowledges the supportive stance of V&A’s current director, Tristram Hunt, and envisions building the world’s largest database of preservation projects. The programme relies on ordinary individuals undertaking extraordinary actions to combat the threats facing global heritage.
Cultural heritage is increasingly under threat from various factors, including armed conflict, climate change, and tourism. Initiatives like the Culture in Crisis Programme, spearheaded by the V&A’s Vernon Rapley, aim to protect significant cultural sites worldwide. The programme synthesises global efforts to safeguard cultural heritage, encouraging collaboration and data sharing via the Culture in Crisis Portal. In light of ongoing conflicts, particularly in areas like Ukraine, the urgency of coordinated action is paramount to preserving cultural identity and history.
The Victoria and Albert Museum’s Culture in Crisis Programme represents a critical response to the threats facing worldwide cultural heritage. With technology facilitating collaboration, the initiative gathers resources and promotes awareness among global heritage sites. Continuous support and involvement from cultural institutions are crucial as the need for preservation grows amid increasing challenges from conflict and climate change.
Original Source: www.euronews.com