Oussoulna – Preserving Libya's Cultural Heritage

Libya’s political landscape is marked by conflict and uncertainty. War, displacement, and migration threaten the country’s cultural heritage. In light of these challenges, the “Oussoulna” project was launched with the aim of counteracting the decline of the cultural sector and fostering awareness of Libya’s shared heritage. At a time when societal and political fragmentation dominates, reconnecting with a common cultural legacy is of profound importance.

“Oussoulna” creates spaces for exchange and dialogue, inviting people to engage with their shared history and culture. With the support of a funding initiative, nine projects have been implemented to actively contribute to the preservation of Libya’s cultural heritage:

The “Unlocking the Past: Qeshla Heritage Project” documents the historic Qeshla building. A detailed restoration plan has been developed to rehabilitate and revive this landmark.

The “Eco-Heritage Empowerment Camp” engaged participants in discussions about ecological challenges and the cultural disconnect among Libya’s youth. The program focused on environmental awareness, cultural appreciation, and storytelling.

In collaboration with organizations from Libya, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, the joint initiative “The Mediterranean Association for Data Interchange” (MADI) promoted cross-border access to information resources about Libya’s cultural heritage. Together with the Bab Organization, Mohamed Elmejrab developed the video game “Stories from Libya”. The game allows children to explore Libya’s cultural sites in an interactive way, fostering cultural awareness.

The “Libyan Film Cultural Organization” established an extensive archive of Libyan cinema, encouraging collaboration among professionals in the industry.

The “Anttul Nno Initiative for Cultural and Economic Development” focused on the cultural and economic growth of Yefren, with an emphasis on culinary arts and textile production.

The “Heritage Resource Mapping” project charted the communal cultural heritage of Tripoli from 1600 to 1900.
“Tripoli’s Little Details” focused on preserving and documenting the visual heritage of Tripoli’s old city by collecting drawings and photographs.

The “Hear Me Out” initiative targeted 20 young people in Sebha and Hun, Libya. A comprehensive year-long training program equipped them to create artistic content.

These projects highlight the critical importance of preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage as a unifying element during times of conflict and uncertainty. They demonstrate that collective efforts and creative approaches can build bridges between the past, present, and future – strengthening Libya’s cultural identity in the face of challenges.