"PROTECTION OF THE HERITAGE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY"

This is the maxim of Gerda-Henkel-Stiftung concerning about the often destroyed and thus rare written Kurd's cultural heritage (https://lisa.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/rkho).

The aim of the project financed by Gerda Henkel Stiftung is to safeguard and protect a maximum number of the manuscripts and early lithographic prints of Kurd's and some Jewish written heritage in Sulaimaniyya. The organisation RKHO, "Rival of Kurd Heritage Organisation" in Sulaimaniyya has been applying for the project and is responsible for it. Regarding the regional situation the project implies a matter of urgency.

HTW Berlin, Prof. Ruth Keller with the valuable experience and cultural historical knowledge of Prof. Dr. Claus-Peter Haase, SMB PK and FU Berlin, had assisted the development of the project. In the project HTW is responsible for teaching and experiencing the conservation of the manuscripts as well as the protection of the books against mechanical, atmospheric and microbiological destruction. The solution developed for that purpose lies in a multiple boxing and wrapping of the books - mostly codices and some roles - somewhere in the underground, secure from microbiological infestations, mechanical destruction and theft. HTW’s Heritage Conservation department is organising the equipment acquisition for the appropriate conservation laboratory in Sulaimaniyya. It will provide the the teaching as much in distance (online) as, to start with, in presence in the museum in Sulaimaniyya. Scientific theory and practical skills in conservation will be restricted to the methodology needed for this Heritage. A monthly online-teaching and digital meetings on request will be offered for a time of some years.

The preparation of the project was expanded over a time of 2-3 years when members of RKHO had the chance to visit several collections and workshops in Europe to get an idea of how preservation of the collection could be realised. At HTW they had first got a general view of preventive conservation by Prof. Dr. Alexandra Jeberien, than an introduction into oriental manuscript conservation by Prof. Ruth Keller. Together with RKHO and a Master student with a background in bookbinding the manuscripts protection against armed conflicts was than designed. Having gone through many difficult periods during the last century, the situation stays tense so that precaution seems important.

The main focus of the project lies on the VALUE of the dramatically rare Kurd’s heritage there remaining in the region. The Patrimonial Projects of Gerda Henkel Stiftung promote the sharing and dissemination of cultural Heritage. An Interview with the Project’s manager, Mr. Mohammed Rasoul, is published on the “Wissenschaftsportal” of Gerda Henkel Stiftung: https://lisa.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/rkho

Anmerkung: Alle Kosten werden von der Gerda-Henkel-Stiftung übernommen, die Finanzen jedoch nicht über die HTW abgerechnet.

• Prof. Ruth Keller (Projektleitung)

• RKHO (Rivival of Kurd Heritage Organisation
• HTW Berlin,
• FU Berlin, SMB PK

https://lisa.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/rkho