Shibam celebrates Aga Khan Award

Celebrations on the streets of Shibam.

HADRAMOUT – Shibam was the site of joyous festivities last Saturday as thousands celebrated their city’s win of the Aga Khan World Award for Islamic Architecture. Referred to as a place of historical world heritage, measures are being taken to preserve the distinct architecture in Shibam and its surrounding areas. 

The two-day celebrations ranged from speeches to traditional dances by local bands all reflecting the pride of Shiban locals. They also included the inauguration of projects to improve water and sewage infrastructure amounting to approximately $3 million that will be financed by the Social Development Fund. 

The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) held a dinner banquet where the President’s Political Advisor, Dr Abdul Karim al-Iriani handed over donations from a fund set up by German novelist Gounter Grass. This money will be used to support adobe architecture and finance efforts to preserve the traditional method of building similar cities in Hadramout. 

Al-Iriani explained that the Grass fund was entrusted to him by the novelist five years ago and is included in the GTZ account.
 
The GTZ cooperates with the SDF and the Public Authority for Preserving Historical Cities to restore and preserve the architecture of Shibam.  A representative of the Aga Khan Foundation and member of its committee, Mr. Sahl Al-Haiari said the city was chosen as an ideal alternative to the problem of population expansion. 

Chairman of Public Authority for Preserving Historical Cities, Mr. Abdullah Zaid Issa said that the success of the Yemeni-German project in Shibam encourages this body to apply the same treatment to other cities, such as Zabid, which is on the list of endangered historical heritage sites. 

The German Ambassador highlighted the employment opportunities provided by the project and confirmed his country’s commitment to support social and cultural development projects in Yemen. He also declared that the embassy will present the city with 100 photos that were taken between 1931 and 1934 by German explorer Hanz Helftritz that form part of a section dedicated to him in the Sayoun Museum which was opened by the Ambassador and Mr. Al-Iriani.   

Dr Al-Iriani called the new section an important addition to the museum. It houses some items that date as far back as 100 AD. He commended the German government on their cooperation with Yemen.  

Minister of Culture Mr. Mohammed Abu Bakr Al-Maflehi echoed this appraisal of the collaboration between the two countries especially in terms of preserving culture and cultural heritage, which is helping to draw attention to Yemen and boost its tourism industry.       

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