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Mario Testino, President of WMF Peru, speaks at an event in Lima.

"WORK IN LIEU OF TAXES" PROGRAM 
LAUNCHED FOR PERUVIAN HERITAGE

At an event in Lima in June, a new public-private partnership model was announced for heritage conservation in Peru. The "Obras por Impuestos" (work in lieu of taxes) legal mechanism, previously used primarily for infrastructure projects, now offers opportunities to preserve Peruvian cultural heritage. A variety of leaders in Peru assembled for the announcement of the first heritage project to benefit from this program, the Chapel of the Virgen Purificada de Canicunca, a site on the Andean Baroque Route east of Cusco. In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the Regional Government of Cusco, the Compa��a de Jes�s, Backus, and WMF, represented by Mario Testino, President of WMF Peru.


The main altar of Funchal Cathedral before and after restoration.

CEREMONY FOR FUNCHAL CATHEDRAL ALTAR
 

A public ceremony on June 9 attended by the Vice President of WMF Portugal, Isabel Cruz de Almeida, and many local and regional authorities commemorated the restoration of the main altar of the Cathedral of Funchal, Portugal. The event was part of the Jubilee Week marking the 500th anniversary of the creation of the Diocese of Funchal. The work was funded by World Monuments Fund in collaboration with the Regional Government of Madeira and under the supervision of the Scientific Committee of the Regional Direction of Cultural Affairs. This is the second project completed through the partnership that began in 2006 with the restoration of the exterior of the church. 


The inauguration ceremony at Majapahit Corner.

MAJAPAHIT CORNER OPENING CELEBRATED IN TROWULAN 
 
On June 12, 2014, an inauguration ceremony marked the opening of Mandala Majapahit, or the Majapahit Corner, in the village hall of Jatisumber in Mojokerto, East Java. In a freshly appointed room to the side of the village hall, the Majapahit Corner highlights the rich archaeological heritage of the area, which was once the location of the capital city of the Majapahit Kingdom, one of the most powerful states in the history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Its capital, Trowulan, is included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch to call attention to encroachment from brick and steel factories on the surviving archaeological remains. This new community resource contains a library of materials on Javanese history and a small collection of archaeological finds. The creation of the Majapahit Corner was an initiative of the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation, supported by local officials and partner organizations including the Indonesian Heritage Trust and the Majapahit Conservation Network.  

Watch Day activities for Gran Pajat�n.

2014 WATCH DAYS HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

From Brazil to the United Kingdom and Kenya to Japan, communities are coming together in 2014 to celebrate Watch Day, a series of commemorative and educational events held at cultural heritage sites included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch and supported by World Monuments Fund. Watch Day is an opportunity for people to engage with Watch sites in their local communities with the goal of deepening appreciation for these important places. 
 
Since April 2014 more than 15 sites have organized Watch Day events. In Peru, over 70 schoolchildren participated in a drawing and painting contest of Gran Pajat�n. At the Sanro-Den of Sukunahikona Shrine in Japan, community members learned about the traditional method of processing timber that was used in the construction of the site, a craft that dates to the fourteenth century. Advocates for Bardzrakash St. Gregory Monastery in Armenia hosted a cleanup day. In Brazil, nearly 8,000 people linked their hands together in a symbolic "hug" of Serra da Moeda. Residents and local government officials participated in a guided tour of the Remigio Crespo Toral Museum in Cuenca, where Watch Day also acted as the museum's last public event before closing for planned restoration work. Many more Watch Day events are still to come later in the year. Visit our Watch Day page for more information. 

Newstead Abbey.

FRIENDS GROUP CREATED FOR NEWSTEAD ABBEY

  

Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire, a 2012 World Monuments Watch site, now has the support of a formally established friends group, the Newstead Abbey Partnership, to promote the site's significance, encourage tourism, and secure new funds for necessary conservation work. Newstead, founded in the twelfth century as a priory and best known today as the ancestral home of Romantic poet Lord Byron, was included on the Watch due to the vulnerable condition of the building and wider estate, the substantial cost of repair work required, and the ongoing challenge of enabling public access. 
 
The partnership was established to bring together local supporters, advocates, and partners who are passionate about Newstead and are determined to secure its future. At the first formal meeting of the group on June 25, Chairman Dr. Patrick Candler announced the group's vision to help conserve, maintain, and develop Newstead as a heritage and tourist attraction, with the aim of increasing opening hours, refreshing interpretation, improving the visitor experience, and attracting new users to increase revenue to the site.



50TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES LAUNCHED
 

June marked the beginning of celebrations marking WMF's 50th Anniversary with events in London and New York. A special campaign was launched to restore five major cultural heritage sites around the world: Mughal gardens in Agra, India; Phnom Bakheng in Angkor, Cambodia; the next phase of work at the Qianlong Garden in Beijing, China; the Farnese Aviaries in Rome, Italy; and Quinta de Presa in Lima, Peru. In 2015 a 50th Anniversary commemorative book will be published featuring essays by distinguished writers including Andr� Aciman, Anne Applebaum, William Dalrymple, Justin Davidson, John Julius Norwich, Andrew Solomon, and Alaa Al-Aswany. Over the next few years a series of 50th Anniversary trips will take travelers to some of our most important projects. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will serve as Honorary Chairman of the 50th Annivesary. To learn more about the 50th Anniversary, visit wmf50.org.


2014 Hadrian Gala save the date.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2014 HADRIAN GALA
 
The 2014 Hadrian Gala will be on October 22 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. This year, WMF honors interior designer Mica Erteg�n and artist Ellsworth Kelly. We hope you will join us for this event or for the after party following the gala.

WORLD MONUMENTS FUND IN THE NEWS

TAKE A STAND: TWO OPPORTUNITIES
PRESERVE AN UNSPOILED VISTA

Join WMF alongside four former New Jersey governors in taking a stand against LG Electronics USA's plan to build a corporate headquarters tower that would forever mar the vista of the landmarked Hudson River Palisades.
SUPPORT SYRIA'S HERITAGE

When the crisis in Syria is over, what will remain of its irreplaceable architectural legacy and cultural heritage? Join WMF and add your voice in support of the war-torn country's treasures.


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FRIENDS OF WMF: JOIN/RENEW

The Friends of WMF help WMF save the world's most treasured places and enjoy a number of membership benefits. If you're a Friend, we thank you--and don't forget to renew your membership this spring. Not yet a member? Join us today!

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