The Ninth Conference on the Research and Protection of Unbaked Mud Monuments opened at Dowlatabad Garden on Saturday and was attended by a number of world experts, IRNA reported from Yazd.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Head of Yazd province Cultural Heritage Department Seyed Mohammad Beheshti reiterated the importance of the unbaked mud monuments and the inherent complexities of the material.

He added, "Such monuments mark the managerial skills of our predecessors and the heritage left behind for the present and future generations.

"Thousands of these mud brick buildings are still inhabited," he added.

Turning to Yazd as a global center of mud brick monuments, he called for the establishment of an international research center for protection of such structures in Iran, particularly in the central Iranian city of Yazd.

Beheshti called on the participants to contribute to this end if they are in position to play a role in it.

Secretary of the Ninth International Conference on the Research and Protection of Unbaked Mud Monuments, Abdol-Rasoul Vatandoust, declared Iran's readiness to establish such a center.

"The current conference has been warmly welcomed by foreign countries which are represented by Ecuador, Argentine, Brazil, Portugal, Britain, France, US, the Netherlands, Austria, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Central Asian states, Australia and Japan," he added.

Yazd Governor General Seyed Hamid Kalantari also referring to Yazd's unbaked mud monuments said that evidences of life are still witnessed in the ancient texture of the city and a promising prospect is in view.

He attributed such a persistence of life to the know-how of the traditional architects who have succeeded in preserving the monuments. "If the city has a say in the national and international levels, it is due to its architecture which blends the Iranian and Islamic culture."

"Priority should be given to traditional architects, given that neglecting them leads to ignorance of the unbaked mud monuments. This is more significant than protection of the historical monuments," he added.

... Payvand News - 11/29/03 ... --