• Dr Ross Burns presents on the cultural history of Aleppo and its architecture at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Ismaili Council for Canada
    17 November 2016 | Ismaili Centre Vancouver

    Culture and architecture of Aleppo in the spotlight

    Dr Ross Burns presents on the cultural history of Aleppo and its architecture at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Ismaili Council for Canada
7:00 PM
18 November 2016
6:45 PM
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The Ismaili Centre Burnaby
Canada

Burnaby, 17 November 2016 — Dr Ross Burns, a career diplomat who served with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, lent his unique and authoritative perspective on the study of the Syrian city of Aleppo and its architecture.

Dr Burns highlighted the cultural history of Aleppo, situating it as a hub of trade, culture and civilisation as well as reaffirming the cultural importance of the built environment. Discussing the various architectural influences brought to Aleppo by its different peoples, he provided a perspective of urban space as a reservoir of the city’s pluralistic heritage and its many cultural encounters.
 
Focusing on several examples including Aleppo’s citadel, its prestige buildings, monumental structures and main urban corridors, Dr Burns also examined the devastating impact of the ongoing Syrian conflict on Aleppo’s historic sites. He emphasised the importance of post-conflict restoration efforts.
 
Over 200 people, including members of the diplomatic corps, academia, Vancouver’s museum and artistic community as well as members of the general public and the community, attended the event.