International Day for Monuments and Sites
2026-04-18
© ICOMOS International

Emergency Response for Living Heritage in contexts of Conflicts and Disasters
Celebrated each year on 18 April, the ICOMOS International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), provides heritage enthusiasts, heritage professionals and ICOMOS members with the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the shared responsibility of safeguarding our heritage.
This year, IDMS focuses on bringing visibility to the work undertaken to conserve and protect the world’s culturally significant “Living Heritage” – increasingly at risk from accelerating disasters and conflicts unfolding in complex, multi-hazard contexts.

World Book and Copyright Day
2026-04-23
© Ed Robertson / Unsplash

A Celebration of the Power of Books

On World Book and Copyright Day, we recognize the essential role of research, documentation, and intellectual work in safeguarding cultural heritage.
The protection of monuments and sites depends not only on physical conservation, but also on the written knowledge, studies, charters, and technical expertise that guide responsible preservation.
ICOMOS Lebanon reaffirms the importance of scholarship and intellectual property in advancing heritage protection and cultural transmission.

International Museum Day
2026-05-18
© Courtesy of Rehabilitation of the National Museum of Beirut 1996–1999

International Museum Day 2026: Museums Uniting a Divided World
Each year since 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has organized International Museum Day, which represents a unique moment for the international museum community.
The objective of International Museum Day (IMD) is to raise awareness about the fact that “museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”
On 18 May 2026, museums worldwide will mark International Museum Day under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”. The theme highlights the potential of museums to act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion and peace within and between communities worldwide.
On International Museum Day, ICOMOS Lebanon recognizes the vital role museums play in preserving, interpreting, and transmitting cultural heritage.
Museums safeguard collections that originate from monuments and archaeological sites, linking movable and immovable heritage within a shared framework of conservation standards and research.
The protection of heritage depends on this collaboration — from the site to the museum, and from scholarship to public engagement.

World Environment Day
2026-06-05
© Image source: Viator

Heritage and the Environment Are Inseparable
On World Environment Day, ICOMOS Lebanon highlights the critical links between environmental protection and cultural heritage conservation. Pollution, climate change and ecological degradation pose growing threats to monuments, sites, and cultural landscapes. Safeguarding heritage requires not only conservation of buildings and artefacts, but also protection of environmental conditions that sustain them — from air quality to water resources and resilient ecosystems. ICOMOS Lebanon reaffirms its commitment to integrating environmental stewardship into heritage safeguarding for present and future generations.

International Archives Day
2026-06-09
© UNESCO

Archives and Heritage Conservation: Preserving the Memory of Cultural Places
International Archives Day is celebrated on 9 June and is coordinated by the International Council on Archives. The day highlights the importance of archives in preserving documentary heritage, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding historical knowledge.
For the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and its national committees, archives are fundamental to cultural heritage conservation and research. The protection of monuments and sites depends not only on physical conservation but also on the preservation of historical records that document their history, construction, and transformation.
On International Archives Day, ICOMOS Lebanon highlights the vital role of archives in safeguarding cultural heritage. Architectural drawings, photographs, excavation records, and restoration reports provide essential knowledge that supports the protection, conservation, and interpretation of monuments and sites. By preserving documentary heritage, archives help ensure that the history and memory of cultural places are transmitted to future generations.

La Nuit des Musées (Museum Night)
2026-07-16 17:00 - 23:00 (Asia/Beirut)
© Lebanese Ministry of Culture, 2026

La Nuit des Musées (Museum Night)
La Nuit des Musées (Museum Night) is a nationwide initiative organized by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture, during which museums across the country open their doors free of charge, inviting the public to discover Lebanon’s rich artistic, archaeological, scientific, and historical heritage through evening visits and special cultural programming. The initiative promotes public access to museums and encourages greater appreciation of the country’s cultural heritage.
For the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and its national committees, museums are essential partners in the safeguarding of cultural heritage. While ICOMOS focuses primarily on the conservation of monuments, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes, museums preserve, interpret, and communicate the objects, stories, and knowledge associated with these places. Together, they contribute to a more complete understanding of our shared heritage.
La Nuit des Musées reinforces a central principle of heritage conservation: cultural heritage is best protected when it is accessible, understood, and valued by society. By opening museum doors to wider audiences, the initiative encourages public engagement, strengthens cultural identity, and fosters appreciation for the collections and narratives that connect communities to their history.
On this occasion, ICOMOS Lebanon celebrates the vital role of museums in preserving and interpreting Lebanon’s cultural heritage and supports initiatives that make heritage more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for present and future generations.
Participating museums (2026):
The full list of participating museums and cultural institutions for the 2026 edition is available here: Link

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
2026-08-09
© Public Domain

Recognizing the Cultures, Rights, and Contributions of Indigenous Peoples
For the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and its national committees, Indigenous peoples play a central role in the understanding and safeguarding of cultural heritage. Many cultural landscapes, sacred sites, and traditional settlements around the world are deeply connected to Indigenous communities whose knowledge systems have shaped the stewardship of land, water, and natural resources for generations.
Indigenous knowledge contributes significantly to the conservation of heritage sites and landscapes. Traditional practices related to land management, architecture, water systems, and ecological stewardship often reflect centuries of accumulated knowledge about living sustainably within specific environments. Recognizing these knowledge systems strengthens more inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to heritage conservation.
On this day, heritage professionals and institutions are encouraged to acknowledge the cultural rights of Indigenous peoples, support their participation in decision-making processes related to heritage, and ensure that conservation practices respect traditional knowledge, cultural values, and community relationships with place.
