Centering Communities
Reviving Heritage
Inspiring Futures
About Aswat al-Turath
Aswat al-Turath, Arabic for “Voices of Heritage,” is a growing platform that began in Syria and is shaped by the everyday experiences of communities across the MENA region. Founded by Syrian architect and heritage specialist Dr Hiba Alkhalaf, the initiative was born from a simple yet urgent truth: in places deeply affected by conflict, cultural heritage is more than monuments- it’s memory, identity, and a way to rebuild what was broken.
Why We’ve Come Together
The heritage sector in the MENA region—especially in conflict-affected areas—is at risk of marginalisation, disconnection, and underinvestment. Aswat al-Turath exists to counter this trend by:
Highlighting innovative local initiatives.
Supporting digital transformation and intergenerational engagement.
Ensuring that heritage remains a living, evolving force that sustains identity and inspires action across generations.
Who We Are
We are a collective of heritage professionals, researchers, artists, educators, and activists—many from Syria and others from across the region. We share a commitment to a more just, inclusive, and community-led approach to cultural heritage. Together, we are reimagining the future of heritage in the MENA region as one rooted in justice, care, and possibility.
Through community-led projects, training, storytelling, and advocacy, we support grassroots efforts that see heritage not just as a nostalgic past, but as a source of resilience, dignity, and future belonging.
منصة أصوات التراث تركّز على تمكين المجتمعات، خاصة اللاجئين، النساء والمهمّشين، من قيادة حماية وإحياء تراثهم الثقافي. ترى المبادرة أن التراث ليس مجرد ماضٍ، بل مصدر للذاكرة والهوية والصمود، وأداة لإعادة البناء والعدالة المجتمعية.
من قصص القرى إلى أرشيفات النزوح، ومن التطريز النسائي إلى الحرف اليدوية، تدعم "أصوات التراث" مشاريع مجتمعية، وتدريب، وسرد قصصي، ومناصرة، من أجل جعل التراث قوة حيّة وملهمة تربط بين الأجيال داخل الوطن والشتات، وتسهم في خلق مستقبل مشترك أكثر عدلاً وشمولاً.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
voicesheritage.org@gmail.com