Association of the International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice

The Association of the International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice coordinates the activities of the committees committed to cultural heritage in Venice, facilitates communication among the members and represents them in relations with third­ parties. Established in 1987, the Association has been able to coordinate the efforts of UNESCO, the Italian authorities and its own Members for the safeguarding and restoration of Venetian monuments, historical artefacts and archives.

Very often its activities have been the catalyst for the preservation of neglected heritage and the development of knowledge and training in the field of heritage restoration. The Association always pays attention to the obstacles which citizens and organisations have to face. The latter is undertaken by means of recommendations that are issued every year and are well respected by local and national authorities.

“The Association of the International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice has provided the valuable coordination among the international Private Committees whose uninterrupted activities date back to the flood which badly damaged Venice in 1966”, the jury highlighted.

When walking in Venice, the results of the restoration projects of the Private Committees of Venice are discreet yet visible in numerous buildings and monuments. In conserving this important heritage, the Committees always make an effort to involve local firms, craftsmen, professionals, and scholars to keep these industries in Venice alive.

Objects that are important to the life of the city have also been conserved. The Icon of the “Madonna della Salute” in the Santa Maria della Salute church – which is an important component of an historic event celebrated in Venice on 21 November and around which the community still exercises their traditions, despite the huge flows of tourism to the city which threaten their day-to-day lifestyle – was conserved by Save Venice Inc. and the Comitato Italiano per Venezia in 2016.

Another  project was funded by The Venice in Peril Fund and aimed to enhance the possibility for residents to continue living in Venice. The Fund collaborated with the local authorities in 2006 to restore a vernacular building where four homes have been created for Venetian families.

The Members of the Association often join forces. For example, the Comité Français pour la sauvegarde de Venise and the World Monuments Fund have together restored a room in the Ala Napoleonica in St. Mark’s Square and about a dozen Committees financed the restoration of the mosaics in the Torcello Basilica. These are just a few examples among the almost 800 projects realised in Venice. The Association continuously raises international awareness of various problems in Venice, calling on the international community to take action.

More information
www.comprive.org