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What is the Cost of Preserving the Past?

Why does preserving heritage matter? Are we in danger of prioritising culture over human life?

There was widespread shock and international condemnation when the Islamic State group destroyed the ancient Syrian site of Palmyra in 2015. But why does preserving heritage matter? Does an exploration of the past always bring unity, or is there a danger that preserving history can fuel divisions? And are we in danger of prioritising culture over human life? Join Owen Bennett Jones for a special edition of Newshour Extra recorded in front of a live audience in Edinburgh, with guests from the Edinburgh International Culture Summit.

(Photo: A Syrian soldier inside Palmyra's Temple of Bel. Credit: Getty Images)

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50 minutes

Last on

Sat 27 Aug 2016 10:06GMT
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

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  • Fri 26 Aug 2016 08:06GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
  • Fri 26 Aug 2016 23:06GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except News Internet
  • Sat 27 Aug 2016 03:06GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except Australasia & News Internet
  • Sat 27 Aug 2016 10:06GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

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