IIC is delighted to present the 23rd biennial IIC Congress, its first in the culturally rich and vibrant city of Istanbul. It is being held in partnership with the Sakip Sabanci Museum and will be held in the Sabanci Centre, situated near the heart of the city, and will take place against the background of the varied and enticing Istanbul: European City of Culture 2010 programme.

• Technical programme part 1: Monday to Tuesday 20^th & 21^st September
• Visits within and beyond Istanbul: Wednesday 22^nd September
• Technical programme part 2: Thursday & Friday 23^rd & 24^th September

A full programme of social events is planned, including two receptions and the Congress Gala dinner in the dramatic location of Istanbul’s historic cisterns. There will be poster displays and a trade show by suppliers and service providers.

Parallel meetings will include one for students and another for representatives of IIC regional Groups.

Conservation and the Eastern Mediterranean

The Congress will focus on the conservation of moveable and immovable heritage in or from the Eastern Mediterranean. This will include material held in collections around the world, the care and conservation of works of art, artifacts and sites, and the preservation of architecture, all reflecting the influences that have made this region one of the world’s richest centres of heritage.

The conference will bring together the international professional community to present and exchange ideas, to debate conservation practices and cutting-edge research, to consider exciting new developments and thought-provoking challenges, and to make new connections between this region and all corners of the world.

An impressive range of over 40 speakers is lined up to report on contemporary thinking, current research and examples of best practice. Topics will include:

• Site and urban conservation and management
• Conservation and research of textiles, sculpture, leather, and manuscripts
• Conservation of painted interiors and decorative surfaces
• Conservation of mosaics, wall paintings and tomb art
• Reviews of conservation history and techniques.