About

In this short documentary film premiere, experience the sights and sounds of World Monuments Fund’s Stonemasonry Training Programme in Tripoli, Lebanon from the perspective of the trainees. The project focused on training Syrian refugees and local Lebanese in the craft of conservation stonemasonry, equipping them with skills to improve their livelihoods and to restore their heritage post-conflict. They walked through the door of the training centre having never picked up a chisel before; six months later, they gained an accredited qualification, made friendships that will last a lifetime, and now have hope for the future.

The screening is followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Wayne Holloway, hosted by John Darlington, Executive Director at WMF Britain.

WMF is a charity which champions the conservation of exceptional works of architecture and monuments, working with local communities to ensure sites in their care are protected for future generations. They have successfully delivered over 700 projects across the globe. Their work has increasingly included capacity building projects in countries where heritage and people have been affected by conflict, such as the Stonemasonry Training Programme featured in the film.