7 hours Ago
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After decades of hard work in Bethlehem and across the world, history has been made right here at home. It was proud day for the city and the Lehigh Valley.
Years of teamwork turned into a historic ceremony. City leaders were joined by dignitaries from around the world for the addition of Bethlehem's Moravian Church Settlements to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. "It's exactly what world heritage is about, joining hands together," said Lazare Eloundou - Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
We often travel near and far to visit some of the world's most historic landmarks. Now folks can do that here at home. "This designation will bring more tourism to our community," said U.
S. Rep. Susan Wild (D) PA District 7.
"It is going to connect us with other Moravian settlement communities around the world." The location is one of three others in Northern Ireland, Germany and Denmark, whose dignitaries traveled across the world, to join city leaders for this very moment. Decades of hard work are now imprinted in a Certificate of Inscription that was presented and celebrated with a ceremony at Foy Hall in Moravian University.
"We can look forward to many years of deepening ties between the settlements and also between our countries," said Minister Gordon Lyons, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The list is made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, otherwise known as UNESCO. "So much of what we're doing today is acknowledging the faithfulness of the Moravians.
That's what we're doing," said Lamont McClure, Northampton County Executive. Officials said the Moravian sites have an outstanding universal value and high degree of authenticity and integrity. "And we, along with our sister communities, have that because of the history and culture and heritage of these Moravian Church settlements," said Charlene Donchez Mowers, Senior Advisor and Historian of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission.
Officials said Bethlehem is the 26th site in the U.S. to make the list and the third city in Pennsylvania to be home to a World Heritage site.
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