United States funds restoration of Erbil’s ancient citadel, educational center

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United States on Thursday announced a $670,000 fund to restore a part of Erbil’s citadel and open an educational center for children.

“On behalf of the United States I am proud to announce a new donation of $300,000 to fund the creation of the Children’s Interpretation Center. The Children’s Interpretation Center will educate young visitors about the citadel’s traditional way of life,” Jennifer Gavito, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran at the Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs said at a presser in Erbil.

“We also just found out a short time ago that an additional $370,000 in funding was approved for the conservation and restoration of the historical hammam. This is a central landmark for the city of Erbil that will revitalize tourism,” said Gavito.

Erbil’s citadel dates back to 4,000 years BC. It sits on a 110,000 square meter circle at the heart of the Kurdistan Region capital, overlooking Shar Square and the central bazaar. It is a popular destination for tourists and locals with a souvenir shop, textile and geology museum.

The United States has provided a total of $1.5 million to the citadel so far, and announced an $11 million fund for the restoration and preservation of cultural heritages in the cities of Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, Babylon and Mosul, according to Gavito.

“These efforts will digitize and preserve cultural artifacts and train archaeologists in excavation. The United States is committed to preserving the unique and diverse cultural heritage of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Iraq. We deeply respect your rich culture and want it to be enjoyed by all for generations to come,” she said.

Erbil governor Omed Khoshnaw said “their support and funds for us will be unforgettable and acknowledged, and will be a great step for the citadel to continue existing.”

Erbil Citadel was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014.

The United States in April also announced a half-a-million-dollar grant for the renovation and preservation of the Badinan Gate, an archeological site in Duhok province’s Amedi district.

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