Dr. Donny George and SAFE / Saving Antiquities for Everyone invite
you to participate in the 2008 Global Candlelight Vigil http://
www.savingantiquities.org/candlelightvigils.php to mark the fifth
anniversary of the 2003 looting of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad.
In the five years since this terrible event, nearly half of the
missing works have been recovered. Yet thousands of Iraq Museum
artifacts remain at large. Meanwhile, museums around the world are
increasingly confronted by security challenges, and rampant looting
at archaeological sites continues unabated around the world.
“Now is the time for people and museum professionals to gather
together: to remember the events of 2003 and take steps to ensure
that no museum in the world suffers a similar fate,” says Dr. George,
who is former director of the Iraq Museum and former president of the
Iraq State Board of Antiquities.
In a global call to action, Dr. George urges museum directors and
staff, university faculty and students, and citizens around the world
to use the fifth anniversary of the looting of the Iraq Museum as an
opportunity to re-energize our efforts to protect the world’s
cultural heritage.
Museums are encouraged to treat the April 10-12 timeframe every year
to conduct security audits and update their internal risk management
and due diligence practices. Universities are invited to treat April
10-12 every year as a time for education and public awareness about
the about the academic, ethical and legal consequences of the
destruction of cultural heritage with classroom projects, panel
discussions, symposiums or exhibitions.
The SAFE website offers suggestions for universities, museums,
community groups and others to plan an event of any size here: http://
www.savingantiquities.org/vigiltools.php . SAFE Candlelight Vigil
kits offer a wealth of resources including the DVD documentary
“Robbing the Cradle of Civilization-The Looting of Iraq’s Ancient
Treasures" (Canadian Broadcasting Company), or the documentary
"Thieves of Baghdad" (Al Jazeera), or other relevant videos,
including a 2007 Charlie Rose interview with Dr. Donny George as well
as publicity tools.
Hosting a Vigil in your community is easy:
• Choose a location and time on April 10, 11, or 12.
• Schedule your event and post it on http://www.savingantiquities.org/
hostvigil.php so that members of your community will learn of it and
attend.
• Use e-cards, customizable announcement flyers, buttons, posters,
postcards and the press release template available on http://
www.savingantiquities.org/vigiltools.php to help publicize your Vigil
and spread the word.
• Distribute the Candlelight Vigil brochure for distribution at your
event. The brochure is being developed in conjunction with the
exhibition "Catastrophe! The Looting and Destruction of Iraq’s Past"
at the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago.
• Gather with friends, family, colleagues, professors and students.
Pause for a moment of silence and light a candle. Discuss the
destruction of cultural heritage and looting of ancient sites around
the world, fueled by the global trade in illicit antiquities.
• Document your vigil with digital photographs or video and send them
to SAFE. We will use them in a compilation Video Memorial that
includes gatherings from around the world
• You may also choose to light a virtual candle http://
www.savingantiquities.org/virtualcandle.php and add your name to the
list of other supporters.
For more information about the Global Candlelight Vigil for the Iraq
Museum contact us at [log in to unmask]
Also join our email list to receive periodic newsletters about SAFE
activities: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101412967730
SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone ( http://
www.savingantiquities.org ) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization that creates educational programs and media campaigns to
raise public awareness about the importance of preserving cultural
heritage worldwide. SAFE is a coalition of professionals in
communications, media, and advertising working alongside experts in
the academic, legal and law enforcement communities. SAFE has no
political affiliations.
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