I am writing to bring to your attention of a recent BBC report on the
decomposition into soil and dust of some of the eleven Lalibela
rock-hewn churches. These are churches that have been designated as UNESCO’s
world heritage sites.
I am deeply concerned that these churches that bear the
history of one of the oldest nations in the world face such a level of
neglect as to turn into dust and soil. Why the failure to maintain them
despite being a favoured tourist attraction site is beyond
comprehension.
Given UNESCO’s commendable achievement in being in the forefront to
preserve world culture, I would like to know your views on the report. And if
the report is true, I would like to know what action UNESCO is prepared to
take to preserve the heritage site.
I consider this matter to be an urgent priority and would like very
much to hear from you what UNESCO, your member state the Etthiopian Government,
and all concerned can do to preserve this treasured culture.
Please also bring this concern to Mr.Francesco Bandarin (director) of the
UNESCO World Heritage
Sincerely yours,
Mammo Muchie,
Professor
Director of Research Center on
Development and IR
Aalborg University
Alborg, Denmark
