US consulate officials visit Erbil Citadel to evaluate cultural restoration projects
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The US Deputy Chief of Mission Greg LoGerfo and US Consul General Robert Palladino visited Erbil's ancient citadel on Monday to evaluate the progress of ongoing cultural restoration projects funded by the US government.
DCM Greg LoGerfo and Consul General Palladino visited the #Erbil_Citadel to view the progress of the ongoing cultural restoration projects funded by US government and reviewed plans to make the Citadel and #Erbil Bazaar a destination for tourism and an economic engine for Erbil. pic.twitter.com/gXpXLGKMZP
— U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USConGenErbil) April 4, 2022
They also reviewed plans to make the citadel and Erbil bazaar a tourist destination.
"They enjoyed the sights of the Citadel and shopped in the historic bazaar for dates, honey, and traditional Kurdish headscarves," the US Consulate said in a Facebook post.
"The #United_States is committed to helping Iraq preserve its unique cultural heritage sites and using these sites to responsibly grow the economy and increase employment in Erbil," the US consulate said.
Former Mayor of Erbil and Head of the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization Nehad Latif Qoja told Kurdistan 24 that the ancient citadel needs more financial support.
"The (citadel) is a human heritage (site), over 6,000 to 8,000 years old. It not only belongs to us, but to the next generations," he said.
"It not only belongs to Kurds, Turks, or Arabs. It belongs to all humanity," he added. "For many thousands of years, different religious and many ethnic groups lived here."
"We need to develop this for the next generations."
DPAO Jason Gallian visited $Erbil Citadel & met with the Head of the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization Nihad Qoja to discuss the ongoing US government funded restoration projects. DPAO Gallian toured the restoration of Hamam & Children’s Interpretation Center (1-2) pic.twitter.com/gYj2JRNxBK
— U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USConGenErbil) March 29, 2022
He explained that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cannot support the citadel financially.
"Luckily, Sheikh Baz (CEO from the oil company Kar group ) gave us $2 million in support, and the EU gave 6 million euros," he said. "But this (EU support) is not only for the citadel but also Mosul."
The US has also supported several renovation projects in the citadel.
Read More: Erbil Citadel, a symbol of human life
The KRG's Ministry of Municipality and Tourism also organized a Tourism Development Conference on Monday.
"One of the biggest priorities for our cabinet is to grow & expand the tourism sector in the #Kurdistan Region, creating more jobs & strengthening our economy," Jotiar Adil, the KRG spokesperson, tweeted.
Today, I took part in the Tourism Development Conference, organized by the @momt_krg’s General Board of Tourism. One of the biggest priorities for our cabinet is to grow & expand the tourism sector in the #Kurdistan Region, creating more jobs & strengthening our economy. pic.twitter.com/iUJ0qdhuq2
— Jotiar Adil (@KRGSpokesperson) April 4, 2022
In mid-March, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Iraq announced that it had successfully completed the restoration of the northern ramp and retaining walls around the ancient Erbil Citadel.
Read More: UNESCO completes restoration of Erbil Citadel northern ramp
The Erbil Citadel is a historic site that dates back thousands of years. It is considered "one of the most dramatic and visually exciting cultural sites not only in the Middle East but also in the world."
According to the World Monument's Fund, the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization (HCECR) was established in 2007. In 2010, the citadel was added to Iraq's tentative UNESCO World Heritage inclusion list.