Walled city: Lahore heritage project honoured by UNESCO
Preservation of Gali Surjan Singh included in annual awards
Gali Surjan Singh, located inside Lahore’s Delhi Gate, has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as part of this year’s Asia-Pacific awards for cultural heritage conservation.
The site was one of 14 projects from 10 countries recognised for “efforts of private individuals and organisations that have successfully restored and conserved structures and buildings of heritage value”. While no project was given the Award of Excellence this year, Gali Surjan Singh received an ‘honourable mention’ in Unesco’s list of heritage works this year.
A total of 46 projects were whittled down to the top 14 by a panel of international conservation experts. Eligible projects were required to be more than 50 years old and restoration must have been completed within the last 10 years. The restoration of Iran’s Saryazad Citadel, Yazd, was given an ‘Award of Distinction’ while projects from Afghanistan, Australia, India and China were also included in the ‘honourable mentions’.
The Delhi Gate was built by Akbar the Great in 1566. Gali Surjan Singh includes Wazir Khan Mosque and the old Shahi Hammam.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2014.