The Provincial Council of Barcelona and Medcities have promoted the definition of cultural projects in Tripoli (Lebanon) and Tunis, aimed at safeguarding the cultural heritage of their cities.

MedCities General Secretariat and the Barcelona Provincial Council, have been working together with the Tunis Association of Safeguard of the Medina (ASM) and the Urban Community of Alfayhaa, to define two cultural projects to be implemented in theses cities. 

The Urban Community of Al Fayhaa has defined a cultural project aimed at developing a Cultural Observatory with the objectives of collecting data and documentation, as well as promoting the local culture of the towns members of the Urban Community. The Observatory will count on a Research Center that will work on establishing Art museums and promote folk traditions.

The Cultural Observatory of Al Fayhaa will be also a tool for launching a cultural strategy aimed at developing productive sectors and protect the cultural heritage (material and immaterial)  at the same time that will work for the improvement of the image of the towns.

The Observatory seeks to protect and safeguard the cultural heritage of the city, in order to preserve the idea of cultural diversity of Tripoli, and strengthening the sense of belonging and citizenship of the unhabitants of this part of North Lebanon. It wil stress the importance of culture for the development process of Tripoli, and particularly for the development of its touristic sector. Tripoli is a city that has many touristic identitites and itineraries, thanks to his cultural heritage: grastronomic, artisanal and cultural city. 

On the other hand, The project to be developed in Tunis seeks to improve the positioning of the Medina as a cultural platform by highlighting all cultural spaces, the activities and existing possibilities, thus atracting cultural investors and tourists.

Specific objectives are: to map and analyze all cultural spaces, tourist outings, historical monuments, leisure centres, hotels, and all creative industries with a growth potential in the center of the Medina, by assessing the state of each identified emplacement and drafting possible initiatives for improving services or accessibility. A touristic card will be prepared, showing different thematic visits, covering the whole central Medina, with historical accounts and logistic infrastructures. Indications in QR code will be installed to show the visitors of the Medina how to access the building identified on the card, and to provide historic informations in order to improve the attractiveness of the emplacement.

Workshops and sensibilisation seminars have been planned, in order to improve the target sectors depending on the outcome. Other events wills also be organized to communicate the achievements of the project to the press, and present the card of touristic and thematic tours.