Yousef Taha is a Palestinian architect and restorer at RIWAQ – Centre for Architectural Conservation, where he has worked since 2011.

The introductory part of the lecture will set the context of the cultural heritage in Palestine; it will highlight the critical turning points in modern history that have affected land, geography, local know-how, traditions and livelihood. Riwaq’s efforts in the restoration field came to safeguard Palestinian cultural heritage from alienation and destruction that are a consequence of the colonial measures in Palestine. Restoration in Palestine from Riwaq’s perspective is far from being a nostalgia to the past, it is a tool and a means to build the future; to resist the imposed colonial and globalised measures that marginalise local knowledge. Traditionally, Women were the heart of the local production and know-how. Nowadays, due to the colonial measures in Palestine women have lost their traditional space of production and interaction. Through the work of Riwaq, more than 250 historic buildings were restored, the majority of them for the favour of women, eventually empowering the local community. Also, the lecture will tackle Riwaq’s efforts to revive traditional craftsmanship and the rehabilition of 50 Historic Village project.