The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today
expressed his deep regret at the destruction of Québec’s ancient
drill hall, a landmark adjacent to the Historic District of Old
Québec, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in
1985. “I deeply regret the destruction of this important
landmark,” said the Director-General. “It is particularly sad
that this proud testimony of Québec’s history was so severely
damaged on the eve of the celebration of the 400th anniversary
of the founding of Québec City.” “It is doubly poignant that
this loss should occur at a time when Canada is showing great
and generous commitment to heritage preservation with its
preparations to host the next session of the World Heritage
Committee in July,” the Director-General declared. “I hope that
it will be possible to rebuild the ancient drill hall using
existing plans and photographs,” he concluded. Built of brick
and timber in 1887, the landmark burnt down on 4 April. Only one
brick wall, the main entrance and two t