UNESCO sites of Kurdistan

[Anthea]

​​​​​​​Erdogan steals the history of the Kurds

Erdogan will be in the US capital, Washington, on an official visit

The Turkish president is scheduled to visit the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, USA, and to give a copy of an antique column from the site of Kharab Rishk "Stone Column" from the site of Kharab Rishk "Göbekli Tepe" in Northern Kurdistan, to the General Assembly of the United Nations, according to AKP spokesman Omer Celik

During a press conference days ago, Celik considered that "the piece discovered in the Anatolian region reflects how important Anatolia is as a great center for humanity."

Kharab Rishk is Kurdish place and it's not in Anatolia, they're defaming the history of human."

"The Turkish state seeks to obliterate the Kurdish reality that has its roots deep in history in Kharab Rishk that is a Kurdish place, is not in Anatolia, the marginalization of the role of the Kurds is aiming of the defaming of human history. The ancestors of the Kurd inhabited this area on the outskirts of the Euphrates thousands of years ago. Kharab Rishk opened up new horizons in the study if human history, the Kurds have an essential role to play in this historic human settlement.

According to AKP spokesman Omer Celik, " Stone Column " will be displayed permanently in the United Nations Park.

After years of excavation, German archaeologists, notably the scientist Klaus Schmidt, in collaboration with the Rha Museum of Urfa in 1995, discovered many monuments in the Kharab Rishk area southeast of the city of Raha in Northern Kurdistan, dating back to the modern Stone Age.

Omar Ocalan adds about Turkish practices, "They destroy everything related to the Kurdish people. We saw what they did to the historic town of Hisn Kaif, which dates back to 11,000 years, they flooded it with the water of the dam. It is a cultural genocide and attempts to eliminate the Kurdish portfolio and thus change the reality of the history of the Middle East and the pioneering role of Kurdistan in this.

The water of the artificial Aliso Dam that the Turkish state recently established in the state of Mardin inundated the 12 thousand-year-old historic town of Hisn Kaif, which includes antiquities from the Middle Ages, and is considered one of the oldest human settlements in the world.

Government of Justice and Development deliberately obliterates one of Kurdistan's most important historical monuments.

Referring to the United Nations Assembly, Democratic People 's Party deputy Omar Ocalan said "If the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists" Kharab Rishk "on the World Heritage List, it is a town Hisn Kaif is equally important and ancient, so why don't they step in on what the Turkish state is doing, it's a welcome practice, it's in front of their eyes, it's done in Telf Khalaf also in Western Kurdistan, using the cloak of ISIS that they are destroying everything about the Kurdish truth, we need to protect the Kharab Rishk and defame human history."

"Khrab Rishk" is of global importance and is considered one of the archaeological tourist sites in Northern Kurdistan, where it receives tens of thousands of visitors from different countries of the world annually.

https://hawarnews.com/en/haber/erdogan- ... 26800.html

[Anthea]

Restoration of Erbil’s citadel

The United States on Thursday announced a $670,000 fund to restore a part of Erbil’s citadel and open an educational center for children

“On behalf of the United States I am proud to announce a new donation of $300,000 to fund the creation of the Children’s Interpretation Center. The Children’s Interpretation Center will educate young visitors about the citadel’s traditional way of life,” Jennifer Gavito, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran at the Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs said at a presser in Erbil.

“We also just found out a short time ago that an additional $370,000 in funding was approved for the conservation and restoration of the historical hammam. This is a central landmark for the city of Erbil that will revitalize tourism,” said Gavito.

Erbil’s citadel dates back to 4,000 years BC. It sits on a 110,000 square meter circle at the heart of the Kurdistan Region capital, overlooking Shar Square and the central bazaar. It is a popular destination for tourists and locals with a souvenir shop, textile and geology museum.

The United States has provided a total of $1.5 million to the citadel so far, and announced an $11 million fund for the restoration and preservation of cultural heritages in the cities of Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, Babylon and Mosul, according to Gavito.

“These efforts will digitize and preserve cultural artifacts and train archaeologists in excavation. The United States is committed to preserving the unique and diverse cultural heritage of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Iraq. We deeply respect your rich culture and want it to be enjoyed by all for generations to come,” she said.

Erbil governor Omed Khoshnaw said “their support and funds for us will be unforgettable and acknowledged, and will be a great step for the citadel to continue existing.”

Erbil Citadel was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014

The United States in April also announced a half-a-million-dollar grant for the renovation and preservation of the Badinan Gate, an archeological site in Duhok province’s Amedi district.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/300920212

[Anthea]

Renovation of Erbil city’s citadel

Erbil governor and prominent Kurdish businessman signed a memorandum of understanding to renovate the city’s ancient citadel on Thursday, a step that aims to attract more tourists to the site

As part of the renovation process at Erbil citadel, Omed Khoshnaw and oil tycoon Baz Karim Barzinji, signed an agreement to restore the historical site.

“The memorandum that was signed to renovate Erbil citadel will be another part to bring back life into the citadel,” Khoshnaw said during a press conference, noting that serious efforts must be taken to promote the site as a crucial attraction area to tourists.

Located in the heart of the Kurdish capital, Erbil citadel dates back to 4,000 years BC. It is constructed on a 110,000 square meter circle, overlooking Shar Square and the central bazaar.

It is a popular destination for tourists and locals with a souvenir shop, textile, and geology museum. The site was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014.

“Erbil citadel is our history, it’s the civilization of our nation, it’s the foundation of our nation’s future,” Karim, also the founder and CEO of oil company KAR Group, said of the significance the citadel holds. The company has previously invested in renovating the citadel.

The signing of the memorandum marks Karim’s first public appearance after the Iranian missile attack on his residence in Erbil last month, which Tehran fired under the pretext of targeting an Israeli base in the city.

When asked about his demolished house, Karim reiterated the historical significance of the citadel and that his “house is a part of this history. If we rebuild this area, or my house, it’s all the completion of the community of Erbil.”

Karim’s family residence is still in ruins.

“I will leave it to the people of Erbil, the governor and the authorized committees [to decide] to either leave it [the house] as a historical site or to renovate it,” he said.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/140420222