An exhibition in Geneva titled “Heritage in Peril” showcases archaeological treasures from Gaza, highlighting the region’s rich cultural history. The exhibition at the Museum of Art and History (MAH) features 44 ancient objects including amphorae, statuettes, and vases, unearthed in Gaza. These artefacts, part of a larger collection of over 530 objects, represent the soul of Gaza and its diverse cultural identity.
Curated by Beatrice Blandin, the exhibition emphasizes the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage during conflict. These objects were originally sent to Geneva for display in 2006 but have remained there due to ongoing instability in Gaza. The artefacts were intended to be part of a new archaeological museum in Gaza, inaugurated by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. However, their return was delayed due to geopolitical tensions and the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Blandin underscores that the artefacts, while stuck in Geneva, were saved from destruction. The remaining collection of Palestinian entrepreneur Jawdat Khoudary was reportedly destroyed following the Hamas-Israel conflict starting in October 2023.
The Importance of Cultural Preservation
The exhibition was organized to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Hague Convention, which outlines the protection of cultural property during armed conflict. It highlights the responsibility of museums in saving heritage from damage, looting, and deliberate destruction. As MAH Director Marc-Olivier Wahler noted, the intentional targeting of cultural heritage is an attack on the identity and history of a people.
Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on Gaza in response to Hamas attacks, UNESCO has verified damage to 69 cultural sites in the region, including religious buildings, monuments, and archaeological sites.
Global Cooperation for Cultural Protection
The MAH has a longstanding tradition of protecting endangered cultural property, such as hosting treasures from the Museo del Prado in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War in 1939 and Ukrainian art in 2023 following Russia’s invasion. Geneva has also become a refuge for these Gazan artefacts, with the city committing to their long-term preservation through a new cooperation agreement with the Palestinian Authority, signed in September 2023.
Switzerland, alongside its global partners, is actively involved in supporting 200+ museums in Ukraine to safeguard their collections from destruction. This exhibition serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of cultural heritage during conflicts and the need for international cooperation to protect it.
“Heritage in Peril” not only brings Gaza’s rich past to light but also underscores the importance of preserving cultural identity amidst the destruction of war. These artefacts represent not just historical objects but the enduring spirit and identity of Gaza—a region caught between its rich past and a war-torn present. As long as conflicts persist, exhibitions like these remind the world of the shared responsibility to protect our global cultural heritage.