Lessons from 2024 to 2025 Cultural Heritage Safety

In 2024, we published posts based on what happened or what was most interesting we found on the net, avoiding following a particular objective but trying to model the information on what the real world presented. The year 2024 has provided us with a grim overview of the vulnerability of cultural heritage to natural disasters, conflicts and vandalism. It is crucial to raise awareness of this issue and take concrete measures to protect and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. Based on the posts published in the past year, what lessons Culture Heritage Safety (and Security) can we deduce for the year 2025? Below we have summarized the most important themes that emerged.

• Increased focus on cultural heritage resilience: Several articles published in 2024 focused on the concept of resilience, which is the ability of a site or structure to withstand, adapt to and recover from damaging events such as fires, earthquakes and floods. Research and implementation of strategies to improve the resilience of cultural heritage is likely to increase in 2025.
• Focus on the impact of climate change: A European Parliament report highlighted the growing threat that climate change poses to cultural heritage. Efforts to mitigate risks from extreme weather events such as forest fires, floods and sea level rise are expected to increase in 2025.
• Use of innovative technologies: The article on St. Peter’s Basilica highlights the use of digital twins for emergency management and the safety of historic buildings. In 2025, we are likely to see further deployment of technologies such as digital twins, IoT sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor and protect cultural heritage.
• Increased awareness of arson risk: Several articles have reported cases of arson in religious and cultural buildings. In 2025, hopefully, relevant authorities will step up efforts to prevent arson and improve the safety of at-risk buildings.
• Learning from lessons from the past: Articles analyzing fires and disasters in 2024, such as the Rouen Cathedral fire and the Courtauld Gallery fire, provide valuable insights into improving fire safety and prevention measures. In 2025, institutions and professionals in the sector will have the opportunity to apply lessons learned to develop more effective protection strategies.

In addition to these developments, 2025 is likely to see increased commitment from international organizations such as UNESCO or ICCROM to the protection of cultural heritage. The publication of new guidelines (like the UNESCO document on fire protection) and the promotion of good practices will help to strengthen the safety of cultural heritage globally.

The problem of damage to cultural heritage caused by conflicts has unfortunately been a sad reality in 2024. The sources analyzed by FireRiskHerritage highlight several situations where cultural heritage has been affected by conflicts and military actions from the Ukraine-Russia conflict to the Gaza-Lebanon-Syria scenario to Yemen, Sudan to the Destruction of Armenian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, facts highlight how territorial conflicts can lead to the deliberate destruction of cultural sites.

These examples, while not exhaustive, demonstrate that the problem of damage to cultural heritage from conflicts is an urgent and complex issue. Increasing geopolitical instability and armed conflicts in different areas of the world make cultural heritage increasingly vulnerable.

The year 2024 has left us the important warning that the protection of cultural heritage requires constant commitment and collaboration at a global level. Only through joint and coordinated action will it be possible to protect cultural heritage from threats and preserve it for future generations. To address this challenge, it is essential to:

• promote international cooperation for the protection of cultural heritage in conflict zones;
• develop risk prevention and mitigation strategies,
• implement monitoring and surveillance systems to promptly identify any threats;
• raise public awareness on the importance of protecting cultural heritage, even in conflict situations.

2024 in brief: Cultural heritage under siege leaves us a warning for the future

2024 has come to an end, leaving us with a worrying assessment of the safety of cultural heritage. Fires, armed conflicts and the growing impact of climate change have severely tested the ability to protect these invaluable treasures. Dramatic events have shaken public opinion, highlighting the fragility of historic sites, monuments and works of art.

Numerous fires have devastated historic and religious buildings around the world, causing extensive damage and, in some cases, the irreparable loss of unique cultural heritage. Among the most significant episodes are:

• The fire at the Church of San Antonio in Iquique, Chile, on 11 October, which broke out during violent clashes and social protests.
• The fire that hit the Courtauld Gallery in London on 17 August, fortunately without causing damage to works of art.
• The fire that broke out on the spire of Rouen Cathedral on July 11, during renovation work.
• The fire that severely damaged St. Ann’s Anglican Church in Toronto on June 9, probably of arson.

But fire was not the only threat to cultural heritage in 2024. The destruction of many historic buildings and monuments in most of the war-affected areas, highlight how armed conflicts is a constant threat. UNESCO has warned of the devastating impact of war devices on cultural heritage, highlighting how bombs and missiles can cause irreparable damage to historic sites, monuments and works of art.

Added to this is the growing impact of climate change, with the increase in extreme weather events such as forest fires, floods and sea level rise, which put the safety of cultural heritage at risk around the world.

The key words for the future

In the brief analysis we have carried out, the key words that have characterised 2024 are:

• Resilience: It is essential to invest in the capacity of cultural heritage to withstand, adapt and recover from damaging events, implementing risk mitigation and post-disaster recovery strategies.
• Prevention: It is necessary to strengthen fire prevention measures, improve building safety and develop effective emergency plans.
• Collaboration: Safeguarding cultural heritage requires joint efforts at international level. Governments, international organizations, industry experts and citizens must work together to protect these priceless treasures.

Conclusions

In conclusion, 2024 has left us an important warning: the protection of cultural heritage is a collective responsibility that we cannot ignore. Only through coordinated action and constant commitment will it be possible to guarantee the preservation of these assets for future generations.