A major step was taken in early February  to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of the city of Shibam in Yemen, in the framework of the Preserving the Unique Earthen Architecture of Shibam project, funded by the ALIPH Foundation, is implemented by The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) in partnership with the American Foundation for Cultural Research (AFCR) and the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY – Shibam).

Museum experts Shatha Safi and Khulod Najjar visited Shibam to guide the community-led design and  planning of a brand new museum to be created by the project. 

Old City of Shibam: a World Heritage Site

The walled City of Shibam is one of the oldest examples of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction with impressive tower-like structures  Following years of crisis brought about the war in Yemen, compounded by  and the impact of climate change, this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site is facing significant challenges.

The proposed museum project addresses a request from the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY) to create a centralized space that will bring together collections currently dispersed across several venues in the city. In addition to exhibiting Shibam’s history and artifacts, the museum will feature spaces dedicated to traditional arts and crafts, fostering cultural preservation and engagement. Furthermore, a dedicated room equipped with video-conferencing facilities will enable local residents to participate in online training and conferences. To ensure the sustainability of this training venue, the project will install solar panels and an internet connection, providing continuous access to digital resources.

The experts’ visit marked a crucial phase in the project; three key meetings were held to align the museum’s vision with community expectations and institutional support.

The first meeting focused on establishing a framework for the creation and operation of the museum. It brought together Hassan Aideed– Director General of GOPHCY – Shibam, the Local Committee for Museum Preparation, Hedaya Ghraibeh, Project Manager for HERITΛGE with the two visiting experts. Discussions revolved around how the museum can authentically represent Shibam’s history, traditions, and way of life while aligning with the aspirations of the local community. The experts emphasized the importance of preserving both the material culture—such as architectural heritage—and the stories, customs, and knowledge passed down through generations.

The second meeting allowed the project team, the visiting experts, and GOPHCY-Shibam to discuss the museum  with Tariq Falhum, Director General of Shibam District and his team. This discussion highlighted the role of local authorities in supporting the museum’s development and ensuring its long-term sustainability. By integrating the museum into the broader heritage conservation strategy for Shibam, the project aims to strengthen both cultural preservation and community engagement.

The third meeting was held in coordination with the Women’s Development Administration at the District Office. This session brought together 15 women and girls from diverse backgrounds, including home-based workers, recent graduates, shopkeepers, and others, to discuss the evolution of traditional practices and contemporary lifestyles in Shibam. The conversation explored the challenges faced by women and the transformation of their position in society over time, providing valuable insights into the social and cultural shifts within the community.This meeting plays a vital role in ensuring that the museum accurately represents the experiences, voices, and contributions of women to Shibam’s heritage and daily life.

As the planning and design process continues, Shibam is moving closer to having a dedicated space that tells its story and brings the local community together. 

The project provides  practical, on-the-job training for heritage professionals in Shibam, ensuring that conservation efforts are sustained by skilled local experts. Currently, four trainees are already working alongside our architects and engineers on the documentation process for the South Palace, where the museum will be located. 

The Preserving the Unique Earthen Architecture of Shibam project also includes architectural and infrastructure assessments in the first year, along with an in-depth study on climate action, proposing sustainable strategies for both Shibam and Wadi to ensure long-term resilience and preservation. 

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Digital Museum offers free training to 32 museum professionals from 14 regions of Ukraine. HERITΛGE for the first part of its training modules has provided training on fundraising and digital storytelling, while experts from Ukrainian partner institutions (the Charitable Foundation Shevchenko Hai, the Klymentiy Sheptytskyi Museum of Folk Architecture and Life,  the NGO New Museum, the Museum Crisis Center, and the Territory of Terror Memorial Museum of Totalitarian Regimes) have trained participants on collection digitization, digital revitalization of exhibitions in small museums, online museum portals, and oral history and documentation.

“The Digital Museum initiative is one that HERITΛGE is very proud to be part of. The war in Ukraine has resulted in the destruction and displacement of many Ukrainian museums, especially in the east of the country. These museums, whose collections are lost or evacuated and stored for safety, struggle to survive. Their role of bringing people together around their shared history is essential now, when many Ukrainians are displaced and need support to maintain the connection with their identity and culture,” said Maja Kominko, Director of HERITΛGE’s International Projects.

The Digital Museum training program is the result of cooperation between HERITΛGE, New Museum ( an NGO that manages the Museum Crisis Center and is a partner of Lviv’s Territory of Terror Memorial Museum), and the Shevchenkivskyi Hai Charitable Foundation (at the Klymentii Sheptytskyi Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life in Lviv). It is designed to develop the capacity of Ukrainian museums in digital storytelling and virtual exhibition projects in order to increase the online presence of Ukrainian culture. Participating professionals will develop their fundraising, partnership-building, and networking skills to enable museums to expand their activities and attract more resources to preserve and promote Ukrainian culture.

About Culture Helps: Culture Helps is co-funded by the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced citizens and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors. The project is a cooperation between Insha Osvita (UA) and zusa (DE).

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