Minutes for the Session VII: Destruction and Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage Affected by Wars - An International Perspective

ARLIS Annual Conference, New York, New York

Sunday, April 18, 2004, 9 AM to 10:30

Presenters:

Ø Nensi Brailo, Reference Librarian

Session Moderator

Meyer Library, California College of the Arts

nbrailo@cca.edu

Ø Vibiana Bowman, Art Bibliographer

Session Moderator and Recorder

Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey

bowman@camden.rutgers.edu

Ø Andras Riedlmayer, Bibliographer in Islamic Art

Fine Arts Library, Harvard University

riedlmay@FAS.HARVARD.EDU

Ø Marilyn Russell, Director of Library Programs

Institute of American Indian Arts

mrussell@iaiancad.org

Summary of the Session:

NOTE: For additional information on this session i.e., PowerPoint presentations and bibliographies go to the session’s website available at <http://vib.us/cultural_destruction>.

Ø Introduction of Speakers

Moderators Bowman and Brailo introduced the speakers and gave a quick overview of each topic.

Ø Legal Protections for the Preservation of Cultural Artifacts: An Overview

Vibiana Bowman presented background information regarding the conventions and international laws which govern the protection of cultural artifacts. The history and political events which prompted the creation of the various protections were discussed as well as the current status of international protocols.

Ø Repatriation of Native American Objects after Decades of Removal

Marilyn Russell discussed the laws which govern Native American cultural artifacts including the history of these laws and their current status. Ethical considerations regarding the attainment and treatment of Native American artifacts by museums were discussed. Ms. Russell concluded with an overview of new partnerships and attitudes regarding sacred and cultural objects of native peoples in the United States.

Ø Art Documentation and War Crimes: Documenting Crimes Against Culture in the Balkan Wars of the 1990s / Museums, Libraries, and the Protection of Heritage in Iraq During and After the Spring 2003 War

András Riedlmayer discussed the work that he did to document the destruction of cultural artifacts during the Balkan Wars. Mr. Riedlmayer detailed the methodology of how he created a database of the buildings that were destroyed. Information from this database was later used as evidence against Slobodan Milosevic in an international war crimes tribunal. Mr. Riedlmayer also discussed the importance of documentation in the recent events in the war in Iraq to assess accurately what was missing and what was destroyed at the National Archives and National Museum in Baghdad.

Ø Destruction of Libraries and Cultural Heritage in Croatia: Destruction and Reconstruction of World Heritage City of Dubrovnik

Nensi Brailo discussed her research regarding the destruction of cultural

artifacts in the City of Dubrovnik. Brailo discussed the cultural significance of Dubrovnik, Croatia including how important its libraries are to scholars because of their unique collections of European literature and manuscripts. Brailo examined the devastation which was done and the reconstruction projects which are currently underway. Finally, she explored the question of whether current protocols and conventions provided sufficient protection for these irreplaceable buildings and collections. Note: Brailo’s PowerPoint presentation is available at <http://vib.us/cultural_destruction>.

Ø Conclusion and Questions

The Q & A session was moderated by Bowman and Brailo.