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Libyan Update from the Virtual Annual Meeting: Museums in a Suitcase

With support from the U.S. Embassy Libya External Office (LEO), ten of ASOR’s Libyan colleagues took part in the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting in November. The meeting provided a forum for people from 39 countries spanning six continents to hear about the work of our Libyan colleagues and exchange ideas on best practices in cultural heritage stewardship. Videos highlighting the work in Libya will be appearing on the ASOR website over the next couple of months as well as on .

Click here for the Arabic version of this page (.تحديث المشاركة الليبية فى الاجتماع السنوي الافتراضي : الحقائب المتحفية)

Museums in a Suitcase: Recent Successes and Future Prospects

Ms. Intisar Elarebi (Libyan Department of Antiquities)


At a time when museums around Libya remain closed to the public, the Museum in a Suitcase project has enabled ongoing outreach activities for children and students of diverse ages around the country, enlisting them in efforts to protect cultural heritage sites. This paper focuses on outcomes from different types of suitcases, including those focused on both tangible and intangible heritage, as well as those targeting individuals with special needs. Reflecting on the key elements necessary for the successful deployment of these suitcases, this work charts a course for expanding the network of these suitcases and the scope of material with which they engage.

Ms. Elarebi’s paper on the Museums in a Suitcase project was part of the session, “Protecting Libya’s Cultural Heritage,” which brought together a number of scholars from across Libya to discuss their work and share ideas. To read an earlier summary of the Museums in a Suitcase project click here. Stay tuned for more updates from our Libyan colleagues who took part in the Virtual Annual Meeting!