ADDIS BABA- Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) has called on the government and other stakeholders to up their coordinated intervention to preserve and restore Ethiopia’s cultural and natural heritage at risk.
Haftamu Abera Architect Conservator at ARCCH told The Ethiopian Herald that the government has allocated 30 million Birr to restore16 tangible heritages at danger. However, the effort has not been successful due to lack of skilled manpower and as the fund is insufficient. The Rock-Hewn Churches situated in the northern part of the country are facing a precarious situation.
If circumstances go on as they are, these legacies will remain to be mere histories that the posterity can only read them in books. Lalibela is one of the churches which has been found under the shade of risk. The ARCCH is striving to rescue such mysterious churches mobilizing both domestic and international community. The restoration of Lalibela is the prioritized assignment of the country.
“The temporary shelter could no longer shield the heritage from fragmentation. It needs further financial and professional assistance,” he said. President Emmanuel Macron who paid an official visit to Ethiopia recently pledged financial and professional assistance for the restoration and preservation of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela.
Currently, the government of Ethiopia has devised a road map which eases the restoration of the church. According to Fkereselase Sifir, Site Architect at Lalibela, besides Bete Giorgis, Bete Amanuel, Aba Libanos, Medhani Alem and Mariam Churches are also found at risk and need immediate attention. On the other hand, Bete Gebriel ,Rufael, and Golgotha Mechiel have been restored with a fund obtained from World Monument Fund.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 28/2019
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
