MOSAIKON – Directors of Antiquities and conservation specialists from 13 countries meet at CUEBC (European University Centre for Cultural Heritage), Ravello to discuss the future of mosaic heritage in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean region possesses an extraordinarily rich and varied archaeological heritage, including a vast number of mosaic pavements from classical antiquity. Everywhere in the region, these mosaics are exposed to a number of growing threats including environmental factors, urban development, armed conflict, and illicit traffic. At the same time, the economic crisis, the lack of appropriate resources, both human and materials, the number and scattering of the sites, are among the serious challenges which hamper the good management of this unique heritage.

In 2008, to respond to this situation and to the needs expressed by national institutions in the region, four organisations: the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), the Getty Foundation (GF), ICCROM (the International centre for the study of the preservation and restoration of cultural property) and the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics (ICCM), launched the MOSAIKON programme.

The aim of MOSAIKON is to ensure better conservation, maintenance, and restoration of mosaics by providing specialized training to sites and museum staff, strengthening the professional network and promoting the dissemination of information on the conservation, maintenance, and restoration of mosaics.

After 5 years of actions that have seen the involvement of almost 170 professionals in the region, and a positive change in the mosaic conservation practices, this important regional meeting will explore ways to further strengthen the outcomes of the MOSAIKON programme and ensure their long-term sustainability.

The 34 participants include Directors of antiquities, heritage site managers, archaeologists, and conservation specialists. The three-day meeting, 20-22 January 2014, includes presentations, the sharing of experiences and strategies across the region, brainstorming sessions and plenary discussions. In addition, an inspiring site visit of the Herculaneum Conservation Project and of the Naples Archaeological Museum is scheduled to foster ideas and encourage exchanges and discussions.

Since its creation 30 years ago, CUEBC (www.univeur.org) is interested in the issues affecting the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region, and promotes multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary approaches. Thus, CUEBC is an ideal collaborator for this MOSAIKON regional advisory meeting, providing a stimulating and conducive environment to the reflection and debates.

Support provided by the Getty Foundation and ICCROM.
Countries represented: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, United States of America.