As a British-Libyan, this was not an ordinary site visit for me. This visit was a deeply emotional experience —one filled with pride, reflection, and purpose – as it was the first time I had the opportunity to visit my homeland as part of my professional role.
To walk the streets of Benghazi, stand in ancient ruins I had only visited for leisure, and witness the work being done to protect Libya’s heritage—by Libyans, for Libyans—was moving and inspiring. From the historic heart of Benghazi to submerged sites off Al-Haniyah, and from urban squares to historic ruins, what I witnessed was far more than preservation: it was resilience, revival, and community-led transformation.
A musical welcome at Barah Arts & Culture Centre
Our visit began in Benghazi, where the Barah Cultural Centre for Art welcomed us with an uplifting performance by local musicians and young students learning traditional instruments. Supported through the CPF in partnership with the World Monuments Fund (WMF), the Centre is more than a venue - it's a vital space for cultural renewal, hosting exhibitions, workshops, and intergenerational arts programmes.
Seeing students confidently perform music rooted in their heritage reminded me of the power of culture to bring joy, stability, and identity. The energy and pride in that room was unmistakably heritage in motion - alive and being passed throughout generations in many forms of artistic expression.
Libyan local expertise leading international conversations
I was invited to speak at the University of Benghazi's Mini Conference on 'Safeguarding Heritage.' I gave a talk on community-based environmental heritage initiatives, focusing on the role of local engagement in protection efforts.
The session also included a presentation by Ahmad Emrage and Julia Nikolaus from Maritime Endangered Archaeology, who discussed the challenges facing maritime and coastal archaeology in Libya. This included the effects of climate change, looting, and the need for capacity building. John Darlington and Alessandra Peruzzetto from World Monuments Fund Britain also presented on their work conserving built heritage in the MENA region and the importance of training and skills development for embedding generational change.
The conversations this conference created underscored how important it is to connect local and international partners to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and highlight approaches to safeguarding heritage in challenging contexts.
A small square with big potential
In the old city of Benghazi, we visited a small but culturally significant square now earmarked for revitalisation through WMF’s rollover round of CPF funding. Once a central gathering space, it is now the focus of plans to integrate heritage-led design with community needs—offering a model for urban resilience in post-conflict settings.
We also travelled east along the coast towards Al Bayda, to see the CPF-supported project led by Palestine Exploration Fund, in partnership with Maritime Endangered Archaeology, and the University of Benghazi, which is documenting the remarkable underwater archaeological remains at Al-Haniyah.
This submerged port site, believed to date back to Roman and Byzantine periods, is an overlooked but incredibly rich part of Libya’s history. Aside from being recorded using advanced digital tools, including 3D photogrammetry, it is the site for building long-term capacity in underwater cultural heritage management. While Libyan archaeologists are receiving hands-on training, so are Libyan and Palestinian divers on documenting techniques and a chance to receive internationally recognised diving certificates.
The journey with History Hit
To broaden the reach of CPF projects in Libya, we were joined by, historian and broadcaster Dan Snow, along with filmmaker Bill Locke. They first led a hands-on masterclass on filming documentaries and podcasting designed for students from the Department of Media at the University of Benghazi as well as local media professionals. It focused on on practical storytelling techniques and how digital media can be used to document and share stories with wider audiences. It was a valuable opportunity for attendees to explore thinking creatively about how to bring Libya’s cultural heritage to life through film and audio.
Dan and Bill then went on to document CPF projects in Benghazi and Al-Haniyah and explored several significant archaeological sites across Cyrenaica, including:
- Tokra (Taucheira): An ancient coastal fortress town with Roman and Hellenistic remains.
- Apollonia (Susa): Once the port of Cyrene, home to dramatic Byzantine ruins and sunken antiquities.
- Cyrene: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant Greco-Roman historical sites.
Their upcoming coverage will shine a light on Libya’s global cultural value—and the grassroots and institutional efforts underway to protect it.
Looking ahead
In short, my journey wasn’t just about cultural protection; it was about reconnecting with a place that has shaped me and helping ensure its history and beauty are preserved for future generations. Each project went beyond preservation as they were key to:
- Training a new generation of Libyan conservators and cultural leaders.
- Reclaiming public spaces for communities.
- Restoring identity in cities fractured by conflict.
- Connecting Libya’s heritage to the world, through media, research, and cultural diplomacy.
This visit made clear that Libya’s cultural heritage is not a relic of the past, but a cornerstone for the future.
