Ministry of Culture launches the restoration and rehabilitation works for the National Museum in the city of Maarat Al-Numan in rural Idlib

The Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums have launched restoration and rehabilitation works for the National Museum in the city of Maarat al-Numan in the countryside of Idlib, which was damaged as a result of the acts of vandalism by the armed terrorist organizations when they were active in this area during the past years.

In statements to reporters, the Minister of Culture Lubana Mushaweh said: The cultural sites have been subjected to destruction as a result of terrorism and the attempts to steal their content of artifacts.

She stressed that with the efforts of the antiquities workers and the people of Maarat al-Numan, who were moved by keenness over their heritage, the museum has been preserved and protected.

 

She stated that the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, in cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman, has re-documented all the artifacts in the museum and packaged and transported them.

Mushaweh revealed a project and studies that are currently underway to restore the city’ square, which housed the statue of the thinker and philosopher Abu Al-Ala Al-Maari. She added: “We are awaiting for the restoration of the cultural center and the adjacent museum after making some modifications and improvements which the Idlib Governorate promised to accomplish during the coming period.”

 

The governor of Idlib, Thaer Salhab, considered that the successive tours of the ministers to Maarat al-Numan and the various areas of the governorate reflect the state’s keenness and interest in Idlib governorate and the Syrian government relentless endeavor to restore the pulse of life to this governorate through the rehabilitation of the infrastructure including the antiquities sector which is of particular importance and high value.

In turn, the Director General of Antiquities and Museums Nazir Awad explained that the Maarat al-Numan National Museum, which was damaged by terrorism and the earthquake, is currently witnessing restoration works worth 800 million Syrian pounds. The restoration is carried out professionally in preparation for reopening of the museum.

NR