The Development of The Levantine Foundation Conservation Training Project
In 2008, following training delivered to a number of Egyptian conservators during the conservation campaigns at Deir al-Surian, The Levantine Foundation embarked on a conservation training programme in collaboration with the Museum & Art Advisory Limited Liability Company, New York and the Coptic Museum, Cairo.
The goal of the project is to create an international platform for understanding and exchange of knowledge between conservators and museum specialists and to encourage them to develop their methods and upgrade their techniques which, in turn, will build economic value and help to preserve Egyptian heritage for future generations.
Pilot Project, Coptic Museum, Cairo
The Pilot which was generously hosted by the Coptic Museum took place in March 2009. It was attended by thirty curators, librarians and conservators from the Coptic, Egyptian, and Islamic Museums and the Manyal Palace as well as librarians and custodians of the monastic collections. The two-week programme was divided into museology and conservation and it addressed issues such as historical connections and artistic interactions between Christians and Muslims, Western museum practices, and a practical workshop on the conservation of parchment material. The participating lecturers were:
Christopher Clarkson ARCA, Dr Helen C Evans, Dr. Kamilia. M. Gerges, Dr. Mattheus Immerzeel, Professor Jonathan Ashley-Smith, Dr. Ezzat.H.Salib, Elizabeth Sobczynski ARC MIPC