Tel Aviv's 4,000 buildings built in the International Bauhaus Style is the largest of its kind in the world - and in honor of this, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared the area a World Heritage Site. The city will be celebrating the recognition of its "White City" with three days of festivities from June 6-8, with the participation of international dignitaries and leading architects from around the globe.
Named after a school of architecture in Germany, Bauhaus architecture flourished in Tel Aviv in the 1930s, largely because 17 former Bauhaus students worked in the city as architects. Many of the buildings, which are mostly concentrated in the downtown areas on Ibn Gvirol, Dizengoff, Ussishkin, Nordau and Rothschild Blvds. and environs, are now in need of repair. The city is giving financial incentives for the owners to renovate them, and some 1,500 buildings are currently "enrolled" in a renovation program.
UNESCO Deputy Director-General Marco Barbosa will officially unveil the World Heritage Site plaque at Tel Aviv's City Hall on June 7. "In these challenging times," Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, "receiving this extraordinary honor from UNESCO not only helps preserve our rich architectural heritage, but also reaffirms Tel Aviv's place on the map as a choice cultural destination."
Other events during the celebration will include the opening of an exhibit at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art showcasing the city's architectural style and evolution, as well as "The White Regatta," a boat race for sailboats and yachts.
The Bauhaus style of architecture placed a premium on functionality, cubic design, flat roofs and open space.
The honor does not involve any financial help from the United Nations.
The only other World Heritage Sites in Israel are Massada, the Old City of Acre - and the Old City of Jerusalem, which is not listed under Israel, but rather under "Jerusalem." The listing also specifies that the site was "proposed by Jordan" - and Israel was not even allowed to attend the session at which the decision was made. The protocol records that Israel and the U.S. had requested Israeli participation in the deliberations, but the Chairman, Australian Ambassador Mr. R. Slatyer, concluded that "Israel could not be invited to participate in the session, since it was not a State Party to the Convention," i.e., the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Among the 20 State members in attendance at the session on Jerusalem were Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Libya, while Algeria, Cuba, Yemen, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia were among the 16 observer countries. In even starker contrast, though Israel was not permitted to attend the session on the status of Jerusalem, observers from six international organizations were invited, including the African Cultural Institute and the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization. The U.S. voted against Jerusalem's inclusion on the list, and five countries abstained, because of the political implications of the fact that it was proposed by Jordan; 14 countries voted in favor, however, and the motion was passed.
Named after a school of architecture in Germany, Bauhaus architecture flourished in Tel Aviv in the 1930s, largely because 17 former Bauhaus students worked in the city as architects. Many of the buildings, which are mostly concentrated in the downtown areas on Ibn Gvirol, Dizengoff, Ussishkin, Nordau and Rothschild Blvds. and environs, are now in need of repair. The city is giving financial incentives for the owners to renovate them, and some 1,500 buildings are currently "enrolled" in a renovation program.
UNESCO Deputy Director-General Marco Barbosa will officially unveil the World Heritage Site plaque at Tel Aviv's City Hall on June 7. "In these challenging times," Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, "receiving this extraordinary honor from UNESCO not only helps preserve our rich architectural heritage, but also reaffirms Tel Aviv's place on the map as a choice cultural destination."
Other events during the celebration will include the opening of an exhibit at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art showcasing the city's architectural style and evolution, as well as "The White Regatta," a boat race for sailboats and yachts.
The Bauhaus style of architecture placed a premium on functionality, cubic design, flat roofs and open space.
The honor does not involve any financial help from the United Nations.
The only other World Heritage Sites in Israel are Massada, the Old City of Acre - and the Old City of Jerusalem, which is not listed under Israel, but rather under "Jerusalem." The listing also specifies that the site was "proposed by Jordan" - and Israel was not even allowed to attend the session at which the decision was made. The protocol records that Israel and the U.S. had requested Israeli participation in the deliberations, but the Chairman, Australian Ambassador Mr. R. Slatyer, concluded that "Israel could not be invited to participate in the session, since it was not a State Party to the Convention," i.e., the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Among the 20 State members in attendance at the session on Jerusalem were Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Libya, while Algeria, Cuba, Yemen, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia were among the 16 observer countries. In even starker contrast, though Israel was not permitted to attend the session on the status of Jerusalem, observers from six international organizations were invited, including the African Cultural Institute and the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization. The U.S. voted against Jerusalem's inclusion on the list, and five countries abstained, because of the political implications of the fact that it was proposed by Jordan; 14 countries voted in favor, however, and the motion was passed.