“Because of conflicts, climate change, overtourism and urbanization, cultural resources are disappearing rapidly.” – Bénédicte de Montlaur
Always check your invitation. I arrive at the New York Public Library but quickly realize something is off. Turns out, World Monuments Fund Hadrian Gala isn’t at the library, but at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A quick cab ride and I’m leaping up the steps, arriving just thirty minutes late. The first person I spot is my bestie, Polina Proshkina, in a dress by Khaite. I also see Prince Amyn Aga Khan, HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Suzanne Deal Booth, Christian Louboutin, Ashely Olsen, Donna Perret Rosen and Mira Nair, the film director (and mother of Zohran Mamdani). In the Temple of Dendur, I’m at the Armani table, one of the evening’s sponsors, with model Irina Eicke and Armani’s Garine Zerounian.
The evening honors the King and Queen of Bhutan for protecting Bhutan’s architectural and cultural legacy, including sites like Wangduechhoeling Palace and Trashigang Dzong and David M. Rubenstein who restores monuments and historical sites in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, WMF has raised over $300 million, supporting more than 700 heritage sites across 112 countries. This year a record $2.5 million is raised.
The most important aspect of the night is the launch of a major new endowment initiative. WMF aims to raise $60 million for the Suzanne Deal Booth Institute for Heritage Preservation, a venture committed to developing academic partnerships, professional training and connecting heritage professionals worldwide. Deal Booth donates $10 million herself, propelling WMF toward this ambitious goal.
“Because of conflicts, climate change, overtourism and urbanization, cultural resources are disappearing rapidly,” warns WMF president Bénédicte de Montlaur. “Communities around the world are calling on us to help face these threats. WMF has a responsibility—and a duty—to respond.” David M. Rubenstein receives the Hadrian Award. “By helping to preserve historic sites, we enable people to learn from what came before, Rubenstein says. “Preservation strengthens civilization itself and guides future generations toward a better world.” – ALEXANDER HANKIN
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com
