MEDITERRANEAN MOSAIC
International Conference on the Valorisation of
Archaeological Sites with mosaic
Modica (Sicily, Italy), 22 - 23February 2006
1. Introduction
Dialogue among cultures and civilisations is becoming an ever more important element
within international relations, as well as a central issue in both national and international
political agendas at every geographical level, from local to global.
At the same time, the evolution of the social systems and of the productive structures poses
the necessity of considering culture not only as a value in itself, but as a powerful factor of
economic development.
This is particularly true for the South-Mediterranean basin, an area strongly characterised
by a unique richness of history and of cultural interactions, and presently at the centre of
social and political dynamics in a constant ferment.
Moving from these assumptions, the proposed initiative consist in the organisation of a
conference for the enhancement of cultural cooperation between Mediterranean countries,
with specific attention to treasure constituted by the ancient mosaics and to the link
between the preservation of this heritage and the sustainable development of related
territories.
Representatives of the countries of the south Mediterranean shore will meet in order to
discuss themes related to the management of ancient mosaics, intended both as a peculiar
cultural expression of this area and as an opportunity of economic growth.
In this way, the conference aims at sharing good practices on the economic valorisation of
cultural heritage, and at developing specific skills and knowledge related to the promotion
and to the integrated management of archaeological sites.
The meeting is the prosecution of a process for the creation of a network of Mediterranean
sites characterised by the presence of ancient mosaics, already initiated with a project of the
Sicily Region, named “Mediterranean Mosaics: Knowledge, Valorisation, Networks”.
Allowing for a thorough and common discussion of all related subjects, the Conference will
also serve to define the contents of a “Chart of Modica – Joint Declaration for a better
Management of Mediterranean Sites with Mosaics”, and to kick off a common strategy of
cooperation between the institutional partners of the countries involved. This shared
strategic approach will thus offer a reference model for possible future initiatives aimed at
2
improving the integrated management and valorisation (also in terms of tourism) of
archaeological sites with mosaics.
2.
The value of mosaics
The use of mosaics has distinguished archaeological sites in the Mediterranean basin for
ages, from the Roman Empire to the Byzantine period.
Moreover the mosaic, besides offering invaluable examples of tangible heritage, has a
double symbolic value: on the one hand, it is the metaphor “par excellence” of the
unification of a multitude of heterogeneous elements in a single subject, like the variety of
influences and identities that contributed to the creation of a specific Mediterranean culture.
On the other, it has not only a decorative/aesthetic function, but it is an instrument of
communication in itself: a narration containing multiple meanings, which are today of
crucial importance for the interpretation of the culture(s) which produced them.
Mosaic, thus, as a medium for transmitting knowledge throughout both space and time: an
instrument of communication which presupposes a common language, so much needed at
the present time, in a moment when the dialogue among cultures becomes a challenge and
an immediate necessity. Mosaic, finally, as a tool for improving the understanding and the
management of cultural landscapes, which form the material and immaterial heritage still
shared in the Mediterranean.
3. Participants, format and programme of the conference
Participation in the conference will be extended to:
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestinian Authority,
Syria, Tunisia.
Participants shall be represented by Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs responsible for
cultural cooperation and for the promotion of tourism, to be accompanied by the respective
Directors General with competence over the management and valorisation of
archaeological sites, and/or distinguished national experts in the relevant fields.
3
The promoting institutions will cover full travel and accommodation expenses for a
maximum of three people per delegation1.
The following countries are invited as observers: Cyprus, France, Greece, Malta, Spain,
Turkey.
The European Union, ICCROM, ICOMOS, IUCN, World Bank are also invited.
Official working languages will be Italian, English and Arabic.
The conference will take place in Modica (Sicily, Italy), on 22 - 23 February 2006, with the
following tentative programme:
First day
The first day will be dedicated to a Working Table at the technical level. The meeting will
serve to discuss issues related to the Chart of Modica and to define a common
methodological and strategic approach towards the valorisation and the integrated
management of Mediterranean archaeological sites with presence of mosaics.
The indications expressed by the Working Table will have to conform to the guidelines
contained in the Chart of Modica, and will be included within the first Strategic Triennial
Plan for the Valorisation of Archaeological Sites. The Chart, which will take note of the
Strategic Plan, will be officially presented and approved at the conclusion of the conference
plenary session, on the second day of works.
The working Table will be composed of two thematic sessions, followed by a final session
dedicated to the finalisation of the above-mentioned documents.
Each session will be chaired by one rapporteur, who will moderate the debate and
summarise its results into the common documents. Sessions will start with an introductive
report by distinguished experts, chosen within the representatives of participating
institutions.
 First Session: Ethical Tourism in Mediterranen Sites with Mosaics
The pressure exerted by mass tourism on local economic resources can lead, in some cases,
to a decrease of growth in non-tourist sectors and to a real transformation of the economic
1
Only for “Participants”. “Observers” (countries and organisations) will have to bear their own expenses.
4
and social structure of a territory, determining serious and irreversible damages to local
populations.
For these reasons, the association tourism - development can become an effective leverage
of growth only as far as it ensures the respect of consolidated rules of conduct aimed to
strengthen the sustainability of the development processes.
Tourism, thus favours development and poverty reduction only if it is socially,
economically and culturally sustainable, and if it respects such rules as:
-
To adopt participative mechanisms in order to build consensus at every social level;
-
To set off a continuative process for monitoring tourist activities and their impact on the
social, cultural, economic and environmental context;
-
To respect the social and cultural authenticity of local communities;
-
To provide for the equal distribution of benefits between all actors involved by the
development of tourism;
-
To ensure job stability and new opportunities of employment, as well as social services
for local communities.
The session will thus give space to an inter-disciplinary debate over the development of
tourism activities, offering specific contributions with the objective of:

Favouring the creation of a tourist network of Mediterranean sites, through the
creation of common tools for communication and marketing .

Promoting archaeological sites and destination in the framework of shared regional
programmes for tourism development.

Contributing to the “de-seasonalisation” of tourist fluxes.

Support the exchange of experiences and good practices about the offer of tourist
services at the sites and within related territories.

Raising awareness over the importance to activate systems of tourism management
capable of ensuring respect of specific identities and local cultures.
 Second Session: Valorisation and Integrated Management of Sites
Mosaics represent one of the main assets of Mediterranean archaeological sites, because of
their number and of their intrinsic historical and artistic importance.
5
Italian Development Cooperation, in these last years, has promoted several projects that
effectively contributed to the enhancement of this cultural heritage. The conservation of
archaeological sites, and in particular of ancient mosaics, has also been the subject of a
number of scientific meetings and conferences.
However, in order to ensure the sustainability of the sites, and to fully tap their potential in
terms of supporting socio-economic development, it seems now necessary to concentrate on
the concept of integrated management of the heritage. Only the application of updated
methods and practices of integrated management, may guarantee the correct valorisation of
the sites, allowing at the same time the safeguarding of important aspects related to the
intangible heritage (traditions, knowledge, social practices), as well as the promotion of
typical products of the territory, of its naturalistic assets, and of its gastronomic traditions.
Therefore, the aim of the second session is that of:

Discussing in depth the concept of integrated management of cultural heritage,
including the valorisation and marketing of local typical products.

Raising awareness over the importance to activate systems of integrated
management of sites capable of ensuring positive consequences for the
territories, both in terms of cultural revitalisation, and of business and
employment opportunities related to the cultural heritage.

Supporting the diffusion of knowledge and good practices for the management
and the promotion of sites, also through training and capacity building activities
directed to public and private subjects.

Strengthening the coordination of international initiatives already activated for
the safeguarding and valorisation of Mediterranean cultural heritage, and
especially of the sites with mosaics.

Developing actions aimed to train skilled professionals for the integrated
management of sites.

Creating in Sicily, Italy, a Mediterranean centre for the safeguarding and the
valorisation of sites with mosaics, equipped with a database for facilitating the
access to and sharing of scientific materials about related resources.
6
At the conclusion of the two sessions, a restricted group of experts from each participating
country will meet in order to define the following points, on the basis of the previous
debate:

The finalisation of the Chart of Modica;

The first Strategic Triennial Plan for the Valorisation of Sites;

The creation in Sicily, Italy, of a Mediterranean centre for the safeguarding
and the valorisation of sites with mosaics, intended as a shared tangible and
intangible heritage.
Second Day
The morning of the second day will be dedicated to the plenary session of the conference,
with the following programme:
-
presentation of the conclusions of the Working Table;
-
Speeches by representatives of Participants;
-
Speeches by representatives of Observers;
-
Official approval of the Chart of Modica.
During their speeches, the representatives of Participants will have the chance to express,
on behalf of their governments, their will to present operative proposals for the launching
of a Mediterranean programme, aimed to strengthen cultural dialogue and cultural
cooperation in the region, in accordance with the existing technical and political
instruments.
During the afternoon, delegates will visit the Ancient Roman “Villa del Casale” of Piazza
Armerina.
4. Conference Promoters/organisers
The international conference is promoted by the Italian Government (Ministry of Foreign
Affairs), together with Sicily Region, and with the collaboration of UNESCO (UNESCO
Venice Office).
The engagement of promoters consists of:
7
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: co-financing of the event; institutional representation of
the hosting country; participation in the definition of conference contents and joint
documents (Chart of Modica and Strategic Plan).
Sicily Region - Sovrintendenza per i Beni Culturali di Ragusa: operative responsibility for
the organisation of the conference, and co-financing of the event; scientific and technical
coordination; responsibility for the drafting and finalisation of joint documents (Chart of
Modica and Strategic Plan).
UNESCO (UNESCO Venice Office): responsibility for the general coordination of the
conference; conference liaison office with all invited institutions; participation in the
definition of conference contents and joint documents (Chart of Modica and Strategic
Plan); operative contribution to the organisation of the event.
8