The iHERITAGE project is making waves in the world of heritage conservation and digital innovation with the aim is to develop pioneering AR/VR products that combine heritage and ICT features!

The 5th Steering Committee meeting of iHERITAGE was hosted by the project's newest partner, the Beirut Chamber and Mount Lebanon, on the 27th and 28th of April 2023 at the Gefinor Rotana Hotel. The meetings brought together consortium partners from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon, as well as the Joint Technical Secretariat, Lebanese representatives of the Directorate of General Antiquities, National Contact Point for ENI Program in Lebanon, academic and research centers, ICT, innovation and AR VR experts.

One of the highlights of the 5th Steering Committee meeting was the visit to Byblos, a UNESCO heritage site, where the consortium partners explored potential locations for their pilot AR/VR innovative projects. The Beirut Chamber organized the site visit on the second day of the meetings, where experts provided a presentation on the historical significance of Byblos and showed the sites where the AR/VR products would be developed for public use as part of the project activities. A large festival and artistic show are planned to be held at Byblos marina by Beirut Chamber in August 2023, which will provide an immersive and fascinating experience showcasing the history of this UNESCO city.

The iHERITAGE project is unique in its approach to combine heritage and ICT features in AR VR products, which is aimed at promoting the safeguarding and valorization of Mediterranean intangible cultural heritage. The project will also contribute to the establishment of the Regional Centre for Safeguarding and Valorisation of Mediterranean Intangible Cultural Heritage, to be recognized under Category 2 of UNESCO.

Project Partners have played a leading role in ENI projects for decades, and the iHERITAGE project is a prime example of their commitment to innovative and collaborative projects that bring together experts and stakeholders from different countries and disciplines. The 5th Steering Committee meeting was a great success, and the partners are now looking forward to the final events and commercialization of innovative products in the coming months.