Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Swiss Commission of UNESCO

After an incredible two weeks in Geneva, the IDA was fortunate to be invited to Bern, Switzerland with the replica of the Triumphal Arch of Palmyra. The arch was unveiled there on June 17th, in the central Casioplatz, and served as a center piece for the celebrations of UNESCO’s 70th commissioned year.

Photography: © GABRIEL DESIGN

We were graciously welcomed by the city of Bern and UNESCO representatives, including Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alec von Graffenried, Mayor of the City of Bern, and Mr Frimin Matoko, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Africa and External Relations.

In both Geneva and Bern, the replica Triumphal Arch of Palmyra was able to serve as a physical reminder of the importance of UNESCO’s work and dedication to the preservation of the world’s cultural heritage. While so much of the delicate work that cultural heritage professionals do cannot be moved, the arch has come to embody a traveling representation of the necessary and important work of heritage preservation.

We are very grateful to our hosts in Bern for their invitation and their generosity, and we offer our congratulations to UNESCO Switzerland for it’s 70 years of service!

Photography: © GABRIEL DESIGN