The Youth Heritage Guardians Club
Reclaiming History, Empowering the Future
The "Youth Heritage Guardians Club" is a revitalizing initiative designed to empower the rising generation to reclaim ownership of their history. The program transforms heritage knowledge from silent texts into a vibrant, living identity and a shared national responsibility. Far more than a standard training course, this club serves as a space for cognitive and cultural healing, carefully structured to bridge the gap that years of harsh circumstances have created between Syrian youth and their profound civilizational roots.
Foundations and Development
The club was launched in March 2022 under the name "Adolescent Heritage Guardians Club," reflecting the Turathuna Foundation’s vision of building community capacity through cultural heritage. The first intensive training workshop was held at the Homs Grand Hotel—serving as the venue before the Homs First Theater became the foundation's permanent headquarters. This inaugural experience, which included theoretical lectures, interactive activities, and field tours of Homs’ Old City (such as the Azrawi Palace, the Farkouh House, and the Ottoman Bath), served as the foundational pillar for the club, which has since evolved into one of the Turathuna Foundation’s core youth programs.
Program Overview
- Duration: 7-day intensive program.
- Target Audience: Youth between the ages of 18 and 27.
- Cohort Size: 28 to 30 young men and women selected from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
- Program Benefits: The initiative is fully funded and free for participants. Graduates receive certificates officially authenticated by the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor, and are granted ongoing opportunities to volunteer and integrate into the foundation’s broader community projects.
Our Experts and Lecturers
The program is guided by a distinguished multidisciplinary team of academics, engineers, and cultural experts, including Dr. Lama Aboud, Eng. Nazeeha Al-Qabbani, Eng. Suzy Al-Hisni, Mr. Ghazi Agha, Eng. Abdulhadi Hasan Najjar, Mr. Yamen Al-Saleh, Ms. Ghazal Dalati, Mr. Muwaffaq Halabiya, and Eng. Rami Qarnoub. They are joined by a select group of specialized master craftsmen who impart their traditional knowledge directly to the students.
Core Educational Tracks
- The curriculum is divided into two primary disciplines:
- The Cultural Heritage Track: Focusing on historical identity, architectural significance, and cultural preservation.
- The Civil Defense and Safety Track: Equipping youth with practical skills to physically protect themselves and their historical sites.
Curriculum and Activities
The club features a rich blend of theoretical lectures, interactive sessions, and immersive field tours:
- Heritage Preservation: Principles of Cultural Heritage First Aid; The Concept of Value and Significance in Heritage Work; and the Principles of Restoration, using the traditional restoration of the Orthodox Theater as a practical case study.
- Historical Exploration: Lectures on "Syria: The Cradle of Civilizations," "The Buried Treasure of Homs," and a comprehensive introduction to both tangible and intangible heritage.
- Field Tours (The Trails):
- The Crafts Trail: A guided exploration through the old markets to experience traditional craftsmanship firsthand.
- The Spiritual Trail: A journey through historical churches and mosques to understand their architectural grandeur and historical context.
- Interactive Learning: A networking session featuring an interactive dialogue with 8 expert craftsmen to exchange questions and insights.
- Environmental Heritage: Lectures on the intersection of climate change and cultural heritage, covering traditional agriculture, home composting, and climate mitigation, supported by a hands-on agricultural planting activity.
- Safety and Resilience: Practical training in First Aid, essential safety protocols, and Civil Defense principles (including rope rescue and emergency techniques).
The program culminates in an academic evaluation where participants present and discuss their final projects before a specialized committee. This is followed by an official graduation ceremony celebrating their transition into active "Heritage Guardians," complete with the distribution of their authenticated certificates.
