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The Importance Of Preserving Cultural Heritage

  • Category Culture
  • Subcategory World Cultures
  • Topic Tradition

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Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Cultural heritage includes tangible culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts). It also includes intangible culture traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts intangible culture (such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), and natural heritage (including culturally significant landscapes, biodiversity). With the aim of protecting the world’s most valuable cultural treasures World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972. There are now a total of 1052 World Heritage sites around the world in 165 countries including cultural sites of historical or anthropological value. But some of those sites are at risk. Being listed at a World Heritage site can bring attention and made governments to protect those areas but the publicity can cause damage by the overflow of tourists which will lead to the further degradation. The preservation of cultural and historical heritage has become such a serious issue that even international organizations have taken a commitment to carry out special operations to prevent its devastation which can result in not only the loss of nation’s identity, but also affects the development of cultural tourism.

For analyzing the problems of the protection of cultural heritage first of all we should clarify what to understand by saying cultural heritage. Culture encompasses a nation’s way of living and thinking and way of creating which are typical only for that society. Way of living is usually formed by firstly religion, then according to it, traditions, customs, special rituals and holidays appear. Take example of a traditional wedding in Armenia. The culture of weddings there differs greatly from weddings in other cultures because of our religion and traditions. Way of thinking means how the part of a particular culture perceives the world, how he treats the changes that occur in the world, how he acts towards other cultures that are entirely different from them. For showing the contrast between the ways of thinking of a nations’ cultures we can mention Armenians that based on historical issues with that nation, have a negative view about someone Turkish without knowing him personally, only depending on the nation. And take A Russian that will form his opinion about a Turkish by only socializing with him. These two ways that are strongly connected to each other are essential in the formation of a culture peculiar to a nation. Culture is identification, a tool through which the nation is recognized globally. That’s one of the main reasons why we should preserve our cultural and national peculiarities. All these things mentioned that culture embodies in itself have deep roots formed during thousands of ages, eventually forming the heritage. But they are not the only parts of cultural heritage that should be protected.

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The third part of cultural heritage that needs preservation is the way of creating. This refers to every sphere that requires creating mind. From music to painting, from dance to literature, from architecture to design everything is connected with the creation of something that has cultural value that is born through national peculiarities. So, the folk music, traditional dances, paintings of national figures, ancient architectural buildings are constituent parts of historical heritage as through them the history was passed through the flaw of years. Old buildings such as monuments and memorials, churches and temples, cathedrals and monasteries are the parts of nation’s historical heritage. Humans should understand their value and try to protect them from any harm. However, it is not usually as easy as it sounds. Sometimes heritage is damaged because of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, etc. Historical heritage mostly gets damaged in wars and in times of conflicts. It is reported that 55 World Heritage sites are listed as being in danger, some of them due to conflict. All six of Syria’s UNESCO’S World Heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed in the war. It means that the world has lost six of its significant sites that will hardly be recovered ever. Even though the preservation of historical monuments and sites seems challenging, we all can take part in safeguarding our values. One of the ways we can promote the conservation of our historical culture is to join in UNESCO volunteering programs or simply by making people aware of the importance of preserving these invaluable sites by sharing videos or informative materials through social networking sites. To be kept alive, cultural heritage must remain relevant to a culture and be regularly practiced and learned within communities and between generations.

As Professor Richard Stamps has stated heritage is a bond to our past. Our ancestors made huge efforts in creating those valuable things. They weren’t made just in one day. Those historical values created thousands of years ago have felt the breath of ages passing by. Our previous generations also have tried to preserve them and thanks to them now we have many unique samples of different civilizations and thanks to them now we can have an idea for example how people lived thousands of ages ago, what people read in middle ages, where these peoples went to pray and so on. It is easy to destroy all these values just in a moment but we should try first of all to save them. It is important not only for our future generations, but it also shows our respect towards our ancestors and their great efforts. When natural disasters happen for example, when a fire breaks out in a forest, the forest will be recovered later. But it is not the same with our heritage, if they are destroyed, they are gone forever, even if it is regained, it loses its uniqueness as the creator is not same. As the professor compares, it is like ripping the pages out of the history book. When we preserve our heritage we have the book fully, we have introduction then body of the text and in the end the conclusion. When we destroy part of our heritage, the book loses its structure. So, when as a result of our unwatchful actions, a part of our heritage gets damaged, it gets revealed that we refuse our past as something unneeded and unwanted. The historical heritage that is a part of our heritage and culture is not supposed to be a popular spot so that to be protected. We should take care of every single sample that will remind us about ancient civilizations.

Probably everybody has heard about the fire that broke out beneath the roof of Notre Dame de Paris in Paris in 2019.This was a breaking terrifying news for the whole world. It was regretful to hear that one of the greatest cathedrals of all times was at the edge of devastation. Fortunately attempts to shut down the fire and save the cathedral were successful. But imagine if it the fire broke out in an unknown place, far from the human eyes. We would definitely lose a part of heritage; we would lose the proof of human activity there. We only learn about the sites that are popular among tourists or are recognized internationally. But alongside with so said sites in demand, the sites that are listed at World Heritage Sites list and are much more popular among tourists; there are very many ancient buildings, historical places and monuments that are in danger at the present time. Those unknown sites are also of great value. These sites are also a significant part of our culture, a part of a nation, a result of a human existence. They also need protection and attention, need to be visited, heard and taken care of. The fire of Notre Dame is only a remarkable sample that the mankind is not careful about the environment which includes cultural and historical sites as well. Consequently, here appears one huge why, why we are not conscious about the heritage reached us through ages. This problem has appeared because we are not aware of the significance of conservation of our heritage. One of the solutions of the problem can be involving local people and communities to take part in the preservation process. As an example we can mention that in 2017 The EU has supported a number of initiatives directed at the preservation and promotion of cultural legacies, and has helped local communities find ways to efficiently use local cultural heritage resources for the development of cities, towns and other settlements in Armenia.In the frame of one of the programs which was aimed at making provinces more recognizable by introducing national heritage to the younger generation, camps were organized and children received practical and theoretical information, they saw the monument with their own eyes, also they cleaned the area and learned how to look after the monuments. These children will be the source of spreading this information among their peers and the impact of the program will be extended. Another activity that was organized was locals creating handmade souvenirs, blankets and cases with Armenian patterns and selling them to tourists. Thanks to this program the bond with tourists and the locals will get tighter.

Another way of preserving the cultural- historical heritage is to develop sustainable tourism in the country. In the 21st century tourism has become a major tool for many countries to develop their economies. It has gotten a highly profitable branch of industry as more and more people aspire to explore the world, see its unique places, and get acquainted with the heritage we got thanks to our ancestors. This is one of the main reasons why tourism has a positive effect on the country and its development but there is another side of the coin. Tourism can have a harmful effect due to the stream of unaccustomed visitors that cause damage without realizing the seriousness of their actions. For the solution of this problem nowadays the concept of sustainable/responsible tourism is spread. That is learning to respect the country we visit wholly with its people, environment, culture, customs and traditions. This kind of tourism will not only develop the country’s economy through tourism but also promote the idea of cultural and historical heritage preservation as responsible tourists are aware of its importance. Sustainable tourism contributes to the concept that national identity, the features that differentiates one nation from another, are to be kept and respected. This is a key for developing cultural tourism in a country as tourists are interested in countries with rich history and culture. For example we can mention Armenia where cultural tourism is the most developed branch of tourism thanks to historical and ancient places spread all over country’s territory, till now preserved traditions and customs that are only typical for them. Tourist visit Armenia because people here safeguard their past and are proud to introduce them to others. And the image would be different if they would have nothing distinguishing them from other nations. So, we can see that culture is something specific; it forms the nation’s image, so as long as the culture is preserved, the nation is alive.

The preservation of cultural – historical heritage is a serious issue nowadays. First of all we should understand what culture is and what it encompasses. Culture is composed of tangible and intangible cultures that include nation’s history, religion, traditions, etc. All these things define the nation, in other words they form the nation’s identity. Culture is what makes one nation different from others. So, it is essential to preserve the culture .On one hand by devastating the heritage of historical and cultural value we endanger the chances to develop a cultural tourism in the country as a nation without any distinguishing feature will arose no interest among tourists. On the other hand we underestimate our ancestors ‘great efforts to leave for us a valuable heritage. Heritage is something that connects the past with the present. It carries the information about our previous generations. So, we should be responsible towards our cultural heritage so as to pass it to our future generations. There are several ways for making people aware of the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage. One of the ways is developing sustainable or responsible tourism in countries which will benefit the heritage conservation as sometimes the uptick in tourism to the sites brings to the further degradation. Another way to safeguard the heritage is to involve local communities in that process. Currently, international organizations organize projects for overcoming this issue. They cooperate with governments and carry out operations together with locals. There are examples which proved that thanks to those projects the idea of cultural- historical heritage preservation gets more extended and encouraged. Cultural-historical heritage is essential for the nation to exist. So it is left for us only to respect cultures and to save them for future generations.

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Cultivating Culture

The Importance of Cultural Heritage

Apr 5, 2013 | Articles | 15 comments

Not everyone feels a connection with their cultural heritage, but many people do. What is it about cultural heritage that draws these people to it? Some may think traditions are archaic and no longer relevant, and that they are unnecessary during these modern times. Perhaps for some, they aren’t; but for others, exploring cultural heritage offers a robust variety of benefits.

Culture can give people a connection to certain social values, beliefs, religions and customs . It allows them to identify with others of similar mindsets and backgrounds. Cultural heritage can provide an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group and allows us to better understand previous generations and the history of where we come from.

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Understanding our cultural heritage can give a sense of personal identity. Image: Garry Wilmore via Flickr CC

In large cities especially, it can be easy to feel lost and alone among so many other cultures and backgrounds. New York City, for example, is a huge melting pot of people from all over the country and the world. There are large communities based around certain cultural heritages, including Irish, Italian, Asian, and others.

Another benefit that comes from preserving cultural heritage as a whole is the communal support. Those that identify strongly with a certain heritage are often more likely to help out others in that same community. Real estate mogul Carl Mattone and his family, for example, are often sighted at fundraisers for local Catholic schools . Mattone was raised Catholic and attended Holy Cross High School in New York, where he has also been on the Board of Directors.

Cultural heritage is made up of many things large and small. We can see it in the buildings, townscapes, and even in archaeological remains. Culture can be perceived through natural sources as well: the agriculture and landscapes associated with it. It is preserved through books, artifacts, objects, pictures, photographs, art, and oral tradition. Cultural heritage is in the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the religions we follow, and the skills we learn. Sometimes we can touch and see what makes up a culture; other times it is intangible.

An infographic of the heritage cycle.

A graphic of the Heritage Cycle originally developed by cultureindevelopment.nl.

The Heritage Cycle from Simon Thurley helps explain the process of finding and incorporating culture into our lives, if we wish to do so. It begins with understanding the culture. Only then may we begin to value it. From there, we can learn to care for a culture and eventually enjoy it. With more enjoyment, we will want to learn and understand more—and so the circle goes.

*Psssst! If you liked this article, check out Honoring the Cultural Heritage of Voodoo .

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Culture can mean many things: it can be your language, your food, your clothing, your religion, etc. Here at Cultivating Culture, however, we cherish the aspect of culture that inspires: we love the arts. We highlight museums, galleries, organizations, and individuals that have dedicated their lives to supporting the arts. We celebrate the facet of humanity that has brought “order out of chaos,” and we invite you to join, or to enjoy.

We are still a growing community, but we hope you stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information, news, articles, and appreciation of how our world cultivates culture.

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Cultural heritage: 7 successes of UNESCO’s preservation work

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The power of preserving cultural heritage to build a better world

Why do we go to great lengths to preserve culture and make it bloom? Culture is a resource for the identity and cohesion of communities. In today’s interconnected world, it is also one of our most powerful resources to transform societies and renew ideas. It is UNESCO’s role to provide the tools and skills we need to make the most of its ultimate renewable energy.

Historical landmarks, living heritage and natural sites enrich our daily lives in countless ways, whether we experience them directly or through the medium of a connected device. Cultural diversity and creativity are natural drivers of innovation. In many ways, artists, creators and performers help us change our perspective on the world and rethink our environment. These are precious assets to respond to current global challenges, from the climate crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The notion of culture has greatly evolved over the last 75 years. UNESCO’s actions over the past decades bear witness to the many ways in which humanity tried to understand how culture can strengthen the sense of who we are – from the awareness of the necessity to protect heritage from destruction at the end of World War II, to the launch of international campaigns to safeguard World Heritage sites and the concept of living and intangible heritage, a focus on creative economy and the need to sustain cultural jobs and livelihoods. Our relationship with culture has deeply evolved over the last century. If we look into the past, we might be better prepared to tackle further changes ahead.

The United States will be participating in an international effort which has captured the imagination and sympathy of people throughout the world. By thus contributing to the preservation of past civilizations, we will strengthen and enrich our own.

Abu Simbel – We do not have to choose between the living and the dead

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A few minutes before sunrise, thousands of visitors line up inside the temple of Abu Simbel, holding their breath. They are about to witness a rare phenomenon that has taken place twice a year for the last 3,000 years. Every February and October at 6:29 am, the light of the rising sun pierces through the narrow entrance. The rays penetrate over 70 metres deep across the giant pillared hall up to the inner sanctuary, illuminating the statue of the man who built the temple during the 13th century BC, Pharaoh Ramses II.

Carved out of a rocky hill, the Temple of the Rising Sun had been conceived to show the might of Egypt’s greatest pharaoh to the Nubian people in the Upper Nile. Over time, the great temple and the smaller buildings became covered in sand and lay forgotten for centuries, until their rediscovery in 1813. The supreme example of ancient Egypt’s knowledge of astronomy and the skill of its architects could be admired again.

But just over a century later, the southernmost relics of this ancient human civilization were threatened with underwater oblivion and destruction by the rising waters of the Nile following the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The construction of the Dam was meant to develop agriculture as well as Egyptian independence and economy, and triggered a global debate that has fuelled media front pages and discussions ever since: should we have to choose between the monuments of the past and a thriving economy for the people living today? Why should people care for ancient stones and buildings when so many people need food and emergency assistance?

In the course of an unprecedented safeguarding campaign to save the temples of Egypt, UNESCO demonstrated that humanity does not have to sacrifice the past to thrive in the present – quite the opposite. Monuments of outstanding universal value help us understand who we are and also represent massive opportunities for development. Two millennia after a Greek author and scientist drew the famous list of the world’s seven wonders, the very notion of World Heritage came to life.

The race against time began in 1964 , when experts from 50 nations started working together under the coordination of UNESCO in one of the greatest challenges of archaeological engineering in history. The entire site was carefully cut into large blocks, dismantled, lifted and reassembled in a new location 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from the river, preserving it for future generations.

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Today, the four majestic statues that guard the entrance to the great temple stare at the river and the rising sun every day. As they did 3,000 years ago. The success of the international cooperation to save Abu Simbel raised awareness about the fact that all over the world there are places of outstanding universal value. Just like the Nile valley temples, they must be protected from many threats such as armed conflict, deliberate destruction, economic pressure, natural disasters and climate change.

The World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972 as the most important global instrument to establish this notion, bringing all nations together in the pursuit of the preservation of the World’s Natural and Cultural Heritage. With its 194 signatory Member States, it is today one of the world’s most ratified conventions.

How is a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

For a site to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it must first be nominated by the country where it is located. The nomination is examined by international experts who decide whether the inclusion is justified. Finally, the World Heritage Committee, a body of 21 UNESCO elected Member States, takes a vote.

Venice – Can the safeguard of cultural heritage and global tourism coexist?

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Launched only a few years after the Nubian temples initiative, the safeguarding campaign for Venice was a response to various challenges including the rising waters and the explosion of global tourism.

Stepping  outside the railway station early on an autumnal morning, visitors are met with the view of the chilly air colliding with the water, forming a thick, soft blanket of fog over the Grand Canal, the ‘main street’ of Venice. The church of San Simeone Piccolo, with its oversized dome and slender neoclassical columns, and the neighbouring buildings appear to be floating on the water of the lagoon. It’s a sight that has welcomed millions of visitors from all over the world since the heydays of the Serenissima, when the city ruled as one of Europe’s economic superpowers.

Yet, the breath-taking beauty that inspired countless painters, writers and artists over the centuries remains fragile and at risk of being lost forever. Like the Abu Simbel temples, the city’s survival is threatened by rising water levels. The inexorable increase in sea level has caused flooding to become a regular occurrence. Humidity and microorganisms are eating away the long wooden piles that early dwellers drove deep into the muddy ground of the lagoon to build the first foundations of Venice, 1,600 years ago.

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After 1966, the year of the worst flooding in Venice’s history, UNESCO and the Italian Government launched a major campaign to save the city. An ambitious project involving giant mobile flood gates was undertaken to temporarily isolate the lagoon from the high tides and protect the lowest areas from flooding. Thirty years later there is unanimous agreement on the successful results both of the technical achievements and international cooperation.

But Venice still needs attentive care, and its continued survival calls for unflagging vigilance. The city remains threatened on several fronts – mass tourism, the potential damage of subsequent urban development and the steady stream of giant cruise ships crushing its brittle foundations.

International mobilization and pressure around the status of Venice led to the Italian Government’s decision in 2021 to ban large ships from the city centre, as a necessary step to protect the environmental, landscape, artistic and cultural integrity of Venice. This decision came a few days after UNESCO announced its intention to inscribe the city on its World Heritage in Danger list. Until a permanent big cruise docking place is identified and developed, liners will be permitted to pull up in Marghera, an industrial suburb of Venice. Such decisions illustrate the great complexity of protecting historic cities and cultural heritage urban centres, which in this particular situation called for tailor-made measures and techniques different from those implemented for the safeguarding of the fabled Egyptian temples.

If every museum in the New World were emptied, if every famous building in the Old World were destroyed and only Venice saved, there would be enough there to fill a full lifetime with delight. Venice, with all its complexity and variety, is in itself the greatest surviving work of art in the world.

Venice and its Lagoon (UNESCO/NHK)

Angkor – A successful example of longstanding international cooperation

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Deep in the forests of Cambodia, in the Siem Reap Province, the five lotus-flower-shaped towers of majestic Angkor Wat soar towards the sky. When approaching from the main gate, the vast scale of the temple and the precise symmetry of the buildings are awe inspiring. This is the world's largest religious monument.

Angkor Wat was part of a sprawling city as big as London, the heart of an empire that between the 9th and 15th centuries extended from southern Vietnam to Laos, and from the Mekong River to Eastern Myanmar. By around 1500 A.D., the Khmer capital was abandoned, most likely after heavy floods and lengthy droughts. Its temples, buildings and complex irrigation network were swallowed by the surrounding forests and lay hidden until their rediscovery in 1860.

By the early 1990s, the site was under major threat, with many of the temples at high risk of collapse and several sites looted. Conservation work at Angkor had not been possible since the outbreak of the civil war, the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime and the following civil unrest.

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Angkor Wat’s inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1992 marked a milestone in the country’s recovery after years of conflict. The UNESCO-backed preservation of the temples aimed to assist in nation-building and national reconciliation. The action of the International Coordinating Committee (link is external) (ICC-Angkor) for the safeguarding and development of this exceptional cultural site is a striking example of international solidarity and testifies to one of UNESCO's most impressive achievements for heritage. Thirty countries and an ad hoc experts group for scientific, restoration and conservation projects were brought together under an innovative approach, closely linking safeguarding operations to sustainable development efforts.

In 25 years, Angkor has thus become a living laboratory demonstrating the potential of sustainable tourism and crafts, with the mobilization of local communities for social cohesion in 112 villages. The gigantic site now supports 700,000 inhabitants and attracts some five million visitors whose flow must be managed each year. The park authorities are carrying out several projects aimed at improving the lives of communities through the implementation of sustainable tourism that respects local sensitivities. The removal from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger just fourteen years later is a credit to the Cambodian people.

The fact that a project of such magnitude was successfully carried out in a country emerging from more than two decades of conflict in 1992 is a testament to the potential of the World Heritage Convention and the international solidarity led by UNESCO.

Walking through the temple, I saw reminders of the prosperous civilization that built it: hundreds of beautiful figures carved into the walls telling the stories of these ancient people; wide galleries they must have prayed in; long hallways lined with pillars they must have walked down.

No one knows for sure what caused the empire to abandon this temple and the surrounding city, but in the 15th century almost everyone left. Trees grew over the stones. Only Buddhist monks stayed behind to care for — and pray in — the hidden temples.

But that didn’t stop pilgrims and visitors from continuing to journey here to take in these incredible structures. And now, centuries later, I couldn’t be more thankful to count myself as one of these visitors

Angkor (UNESCO/NHK)

Mostar – Symbols do matter, in war and peace

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It’s the end of July in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Peak summer means an influx of tourists to the cobbled alleys of Mostar. The cosy medieval town has a long, rich history marked by the peaceful coexistence of three communities: Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats. Once they arrive in town, visitors from all over the world make a beeline for Mostar’s most emblematic monument, the Old Bridge.

A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, Stari Most – as it’s known locally – is a symbol of the different communities that have existed side-by-side in the area. Since the 16th century, the bridge had brought them together across the Neretva river – until the Bosnian war. The bridge was a symbol of unity between the Bosnian community (Muslim), in the east of the city, and the Croats and Serbs to the west. The bridge of Mostar (of Ottoman, therefore Muslim origin) served as a link between all these communities – as a pedestrian bridge, it had no military or strategic value. Its destruction in 1993 was only meant to force the communities to separate, to deny their mixing with their neighbours. The bridge was in ruins and, with it, the values of peace and understanding this centuries-old structure had embodied.

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Five years later, UNESCO coordinated a reconstruction project to rebuild the Old Bridge. Despite the scars of the war that are still visible today on the city walls, the reconstructed bridge has now become a symbol of reconciliation and post-conflict healing.

Today, the crowds jam the street to watch the traditional diving contest from the top of the bridge, a long-held custom resumed once Stari Most was restored to its former glory. Every July, young people of Mostar’s three communities compete with courage by jumping into the river 29 metres below, just like they did before the war.

For over four years after the ceasefire, former enemies worked together to retrieve the stones from the riverbed and rebuild their former symbol of friendship. Reconstructed in 2004 and inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2006, Stari Most today is a bridge between a common past and a common future. It is certainly not enough to rebuild a bridge to restore confidence and rebuild peace in a war-torn society. But it certainly matters to care for the symbols of peace.

I was in my office, working to the sound of mortar fire, when we heard the cries in the street – cries that the bridge had fallen. And what happened then was so impressive that I will never forget it. Everyone came out to see. Grenades and bombs were falling everywhere, but still they came out of their hiding places: young and old, weak and strong, Muslim and Christian, they all came, all crying. Because that bridge was part of our identity. It represented us all.

Timbuktu – When warlords target heritage, peacemakers respond with more heritage

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Sitting at the gateway to the Sahara Desert, Timbuktu conjures images of a mythical city at the end of the world, where Arab and African merchants would travel from afar to trade salt, gold, cattle and grain. In the English language, the city in northern Mali has come to represent a place far away. Undaunted, caravans still ply the cross-desert route and come to the city several times a year. They carry rock salt extracted from the northern Sahara, just like their ancestors did for centuries.

In its heyday, during the 16th century, the city had 100,000 inhabitants, as its mosques and holy sites played an essential role in the spread of Islam in Africa. The city became an important centre of learning in Africa and its libraries the repository of at least 700,000 historical manuscripts on art, science and medicine, as well as copies of the Qur’an. These manuscripts, written in ornate calligraphy, bear witness to the richness of African history and intellectual life.

During the conflict of 2012–2013, more than 4,000 of the 40,000 manuscripts kept at the Ahmed Baba Institute were lost. Some were burnt or stolen, while more than 10,000 remained in a critical condition. The inhabitants of Timbuktu helped save their precious heritage by secretly spiriting away more than 300,000 manuscripts to the capital, Bamako. Other texts were sheltered between mud walls or buried. Although protected from immediate destruction, the manuscripts are now preserved in conditions that may not safeguard them for future generations.

To help preserve Timbuktu’s cultural heritage and encourage reconciliation, UNESCO has been supporting the local communities to take part in ancient manuscript conservation projects and ensure their lasting preservation for humanity.

UNESCO has coordinated the work to rebuild the fourteen mausoleums inscribed on the World Heritage List, as well as the Djingareyber and Sidi Yaha mosques, that were deliberately destroyed by armed groups during the conflict.

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The reconstruction of Timbuktu’s devastated cultural heritage aimed to foster reconciliation among communities and restore trust and social cohesion. An important aspect of the project was the drive to include the reconstruction of the mausoleums in an overall strategy aimed at revitalizing building traditions and ensuring their continuity, through on-the-job training activities and conservation projects.

To ensure the rebuilt shrines matched the old ones as closely as possible, the reconstruction work was checked against old photos and local elders were consulted. Local workers used traditional methods and local materials, including alhor stone, rice stalks and banco – a mixture of clay and straw.

The destruction of the mausoleums of Timbuktu has been a shock, and a clear turning point revealing the importance taken of culture and heritage in modern conflicts fuelled by violent extremism and fundamentalist ideologies. It has shown how strongly fundamentalists are willing to destroy other Islamic cultures, and any other vision which differs from their own. Similar direct destruction of Islamic, pre-Islamic, Christian or Jewish heritage, has then been seen in Iraq and Syria. The need to restore heritage has become far more than a mere cultural issue – it has become a security issue, and a key component for the resilience and further cohesion of societies torn by conflicts.

At present, the monuments in Timbuktu are living heritage, closely associated with religious rituals and community gatherings. Their shape and form have always evolved over time both with annual cycles (that of the rain and the erosion of the plastering); that of regular maintenance (every three to five years); repairs of structural pathologies, often adding buttresses; and at times more important works, including extensions and raising of the roof structure. How to take that into account while trying to guide and assist the local people in their self-capacity, their resilience in keeping their heritage as they have done for over 600 years? What should be done and to what extent? Who should be responsible for what? These are tricky questions of heritage preservation, far beyond the mere inscription of a site on the famous World Heritage list.

Salt comes from north, gold from south and silver from the land of Whites, but the Word of God, the famous things, histories and fairy tales, we only find them in Timbuktu.

Timbuktu (UNESCO/NHK)

Preserving cultural identity and Korean traditions: The bond of living heritage

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It’s the end of November in the countryside near Jeonju, the capital of the North Jeolla Province. The weather is getting chilly and winter is just a couple of weeks away.

It’s time to prepare for the long, icy-cold season. It’s time to make kimchi.

The Republic of Korea’s staple food is a side dish of salted and fermented vegetables that makes its appearance at every meal. It’s not just the country’s emblematic dish: its preparation ( kimjang ) is a community event.

Housewives monitor weather forecasts to determine the most favourable date and temperature for preparing kimchi. Entire families, friends and neighbours gather together to make it. The process is rather laborious and requires many hands to process the large quantities of vegetables required to last throughout the winter months. They all work together, exchange tips and tighten their relationships through kimjang. Families take turns making kimchi to form closer bonds.

Today, the entire village will get together in one of the houses for the occasion. Together, they will wash the napa cabbage that was pickled in salt the night before and mix in the seasonings that will give kimchi its unique sour-and-spicy flavour. The specific methods and ingredients are transmitted from mother to daughter so that kimjang culture is preserved through the generations.

Since 2013, kimjang has been included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as an important part of Korean culture, embodying the country’s cooperative and sharing team spirit. Kimjang is a vital cultural asset of a community and worth preserving and celebrating for the rest of humanity. Even though there may be regional differences in the preparation of kimchi, it transcends class, regional and even national borders.

Cultural practices often precede the instauration of national borders and the start of conflict among its citizens. Shared cultural practices may even be a path to reconciliation. 

UNESCO_Culture_LR11

Such hopes materialized in 2018, when the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea decided to work together to submit a joint submission for traditional wrestling as an element of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ssirum/Ssireum (wrestling) is a physical game and a popular form of entertainment widely enjoyed all across the Korean peninsula. In the North, two opponents try to push each other to the ground using a satpa (a fabric strap connecting the waist and leg), their torso, hands and legs. Ssirum/Ssireum is distinguished by the use of the satpa and the awarding of a bull to the winner. In the South, Ssirum/Ssireum is a type of wrestling in which two players wearing long fabric belts around their waists and one thigh grip their opponents’ belt and deploy various techniques to send them to the ground. The winner of the final game for adults is awarded an ox, symbolizing agricultural abundance, and the title of ‘Jangsa’.

As an approachable sport involving little risk of injury, Ssirum/Ssireum also offers a means to improve mental and physical health. Koreans are widely exposed to Ssirum/Ssireum traditions within their families and local communities: children learn the wrestling skills from family members; local communities hold annual open wrestling tournaments; its instruction is also provided in schools.

UNESCO_Culture_LR11

Following UNESCO’s mediation, the two States Parties agreed for their respective nomination files to be jointly examined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in November 2018. UNESCO welcomed this initiative of regional cooperation and, through a historic decision, inscribed "Traditional Korean wrestling (Ssirum/Ssireum)" on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as a joint inscription from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. While the Lists of the Convention include several examples of multinational nominations prepared by several States (from couscous to the art of falconry and the Mediterranean diet), the coming together of the two States Parties for the joint inscription of Korean traditional wrestling by the Committee is unprecedented. It marks a highly symbolic step on the road to inter-Korean reconciliation. It is also a victory for the longstanding and profound ties between both sides of the inter-Korean border, and for the role cultural diplomacy may have in international relations.

It was the time when the women would gather and gossip. There would be matchmaking. There would be some marriages that came about during the time of kimchi making.

What does intangible cultural heritage mean to you?

Promoting culture in a post-COVID-19 world

UNESCO_Culture_LR13

The cultural and creative industries are among the fastest growing sectors in the world. With an estimated global worth of US$ 4.3 trillion per year, the culture sector now accounts for 6.1 per cent of the global economy. They generate annual revenues of US$ 2,250 billion and nearly 30 million jobs worldwide, employing more people aged 15 to 29 than any other sector. The cultural and creative industries have become essential for inclusive economic growth, reducing inequalities and achieving the goals set out in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The adoption of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was a milestone in international cultural policy. Through this historic agreement, the global community formally recognized the dual nature, both cultural and economic, of contemporary cultural expressions produced by artists and cultural professionals. Shaping the design and implementation of policies and measures that support the creation, production, distribution of and access to cultural goods and services, the 2005 Convention is at the heart of the creative economy.

Recognizing the sovereign right of States Parties to maintain, adopt and implement policies to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expression, both nationally and internationally, the 2005 Convention supports governments and civil society in finding policy solutions for emerging challenges.

Based on human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 2005 Convention ultimately provides a new framework for informed, transparent and participatory systems of governance for culture.

UNESCO_Culture_LR12

A constant rethinking of culture and heritage

The history of UNESCO bears witness to the deep transformation of the concept of culture over the past decades. From global Conventions mostly dealing with building and stones in the 60’s and 70’s, the international cooperation opened new fronts for the protection and promotion of culture, including intangible cultural heritage, cultural diversity and creative economy. The definition of "culture" was spearheaded by the committee led by former UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar and the Mondiacult Conference in 1982. In 2022, the global Mondiacult conference is expected to take stock of progress made in the past 40 years in cultural policies, and re-imagine its future in a post-COVID-19 world.

Have a look at these World Heritage sites

The 30,000-kilometre-long road system was built by the Inca Empire across mountains, valleys, rainforests and deserts to link the Inca capital, Cuzco, with distant areas of the empire, from the Amazon to the Andes. Thanks to its sheer scale, Qhapaq Ñan is a unique achievement of engineering skills, highlighting the Incas' mastery of construction technology.

The granting of World Heritage status in 2019 has made its trail – which every year sees thousands of visitors on their way to the area’s archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru – eligible for much-needed restoration funds.

Borobudur Temple Compound

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of the great archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. This imposing Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m 2 . Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.

Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan

This cultural landscape was simultaneously inscribed on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2003. The property is in a fragile state of conservation, having suffered from abandonment, military action and dynamite explosions. Parts of the site are inaccessible due to the presence of anti-personnel mines.

Related items

  • Lists and designations
  • Intangible cultural heritage
  • Intangible heritage
  • Diversity of Cultural Expressions-2005 Convention
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage-2003 Convention
  • Underwater Cultural Heritage-2001 Convention
  • World Heritage 1972 Convention
  • Fight Illicit Trafficking-1970 Convention
  • Armed Conflict and Heritage-1954 Convention
  • Culture & Sustainable Development
  • UNESCO Creative Cities Network
  • Member States

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essay on importance of cultural heritage

As a source of identity, heritage is a valuable factor for empowering local communities and enabling vulnerable groups to participate fully in social and cultural life. It can also provide time-tested solutions for conflict prevention and reconciliation.

Through a complete set of Conventions concerning heritage, UNESCO offer a unique platform for international cooperation and dialogue, fostering mutual respect, appreciation and understanding. These legal instruments support the development of national policies for heritage protection, with an emphasis on preservation, management and training.

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Home / Essay Samples / Sociology / Race and Ethnicity / Cultural Identity

Cultural Importance and Cultural Heritage

Essay details

Social Issues , Sociology

Discrimination , Race and Ethnicity

Cultural Diversity , Cultural Identity

  • Words: 790 (2 pages)

Please note! This essay has been submitted by a student.

Works cited

  • Bhagat, R. (2020). Cultural heritage and its impact on society. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 12(2), 23-29.
  • Indian Constitution. (n.d.). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Retrieved from https://www.india.gov.in/sites/default/files/Constitution_of_India.pdf
  • Lal, B. B. (2002). The wonder that was India. HarperCollins Publishers India.
  • Mukherjee, S. (2019). Value education in schools. International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2), 81-88.
  • Nayar, P. K. (Ed.). (2008). Indian literature: Positions and propositions. Orient Blackswan.
  • Pillai, P. R. (2012). The heritage of India. Jaico Publishing House.
  • Rajagopalachari, C. (1957). Indian culture and modern age. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
  • Sarkar, S. (2010). Cultural heritage and its importance. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 1(1), 24-26.
  • Singh, R. (2015). India’s cultural heritage and its significance. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 4(2), 63-67.
  • UNESCO. (1972). Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. Retrieved from https://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext/

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The Importance of Cultural Heritage

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This essay will discuss the significance of cultural heritage and its impact on individual and collective identity. It will explore how cultural heritage, encompassing traditions, languages, history, and artifacts, contributes to the sense of belonging and continuity in societies. The piece will discuss the role of cultural heritage in fostering diversity, understanding, and respect among different communities. It will also examine the challenges in preserving cultural heritage in the face of globalization and modernization. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Cultural Diversity.

How it works

Cultural heritage is the backbone of every nation around the world. Culture was developed naturally in the lives of every human being. It provides individuals with an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group and allows people to share stories of the past and the history of where we come from. Cultures are not developed over a decade or even a century but require many years of practice to be considered as the tradition and culture of a particular place or a country.

For example, the country of Bhutan has relied on it’s geographic isolation and their government to protect their culture from outside influences. A small populated country bordered by India to the south, Bhutan has maintained a strict isolation both culturally and economically with the goal of preserving its own cultural heritage and independence (GCC News). In the 20th century, the Bhutan government started allowing limited numbers of foreigners to visit the country. In this way, Bhutan has successfully preserved many aspects of its culture, art, architecture and handicrafts which date back to the mid 17th century.

The emergence of the concept of cultural heritage is a result of a long historical development in which different values are attached to tangible cultural heritage such as monuments, buildings, works of arts, artifacts, landscapes and intangible cultural heritage such as rituals, language and traditions. The destruction and misuse of these significant cultural elements has a lot to do with the controversial issues that are related to cultural arrogance, cultural appropriation and cultural borrowing in today’s society. Instead of taking the time to learn and understand the traditions of a particular culture, people often take elements of culture for their own personal gain.

Cultural heritage and traditions represent a critical piece of culture. Both constituents form the structure and foundation of our families and society. They remind people that they are part of a history that defines their past, shapes who they are today and who they can become. If they ignore the meaning of our traditions, they are in danger of diminishing our identity.

Culture is an important part of many people’s lives. It influences views, values, hopes, loyalties and the way we take action in today’s society. For this reason, It is important that when an individual is working with different people and building relationships with them, they have some perspective and an understanding of different cultures. As we explore culture, it is important to acknowledge the fact that while we do have differences, we also have many things in common with others. Many people observe the world very differently, but they know what it is like to wake up and face another day. We are all human beings. We were all taught to love, learn, to have hopes and dreams, and we all experience pain and fear. However we cannot pretend our individual cultural differences do not matter. In today’s society, it is common for people not to acknowledge other cultures and their traditions and as a result to disrespect and even discriminate against them.

One particular example of an issue associated with cultural heritage is the issue of cultural arrogance. Cultural arrogance is considered an attitude of superiority in an overbearing manner. It often implies that one believes or acts as though their culture or beliefs are better than another culture. The recent death of American missionary John Allen Chau caused a lot of controversy after the young missionary was killed approaching the shores of North Sentinel Island. This young man from Washington state had decided that the small tribe on a remote island needed him to personally deliver them a taste of his religion. A self-styled Christian missionary, Chau tried to foist his presence and beliefs on the Sentinelese tribe who wished to be left alone. What he found was an early grave. Chau did not die from the tribes. He was killed by his own arrogance. (Review News). John Allen Chau’s death was a result of cultural arrogance. The Sentinelese who killed John Allen Chau were soldiers defending their culture and society against a potential threat; they were not murderers. Chau met his fate after ignoring the rules and regulations, as well as the warnings that were given to him by authorities to protect the Sentinelese people.

The Sentinelese were expected to respond to his intrusion exactly as they did. Chau brought his death upon himself. When people are unaware or chose not to respect the beliefs and practices of cultural groups, they could harm the people of that culture and also themselves. Those who adopt ideas of another culture may only be interested in what they have to offer and hope to gain from it by selfishly adopting the cultures values. It is important that tourists take the time to learn and develop different elements of a culture before representing these cultures. It is a code and form of respect that should be followed by all. Cultural arrogance can also imply that one believes or acts as though their culture is better than another culture. For example, there are a lot of Americans who arrogantly assume that Americans are better than Europeans or there are Japanese who believe they are superior to Chinese. In the US, Americans tend to believe that the American way of life is better or more superior than any other country when it comes to pursuing life goals, freedom and happiness. When people watch American films, they are given a over-fantasize the idea of the “American dream” and they promote the ideal of the american lifestyle to make Americans appear more dominant than other cultures.

Another example of an problem associated with cultural heritage is the issue of Culture appropriation. Cultural appropriation is the taking of intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from another culture without permission. This can include unauthorized use of another culture’s dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc (Thought.co). In a way it can harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been racially discriminated or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation hold a significant meaning to them, e.g. sacred items. In the United States, cultural appropriation tends to involve people of the dominant culture (or those who identify with it) borrowing from minority cultural groups. African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and Africans are often targeted for Cultural Appropriation(thought.co).

For example, ancient African artifacts like Traditional mask have been stolen and replicated to sell to people all around the world. African artefacts have also been stolen from archaeological sites and placed on display in European museums. Cultural Appropriation takes many forms. Native American fashion, decoration, cultural symbols and designs, and Asian martial arts and dress have been targeted for cultural appropriation. In many cases, Buddhist designed tattoos, Muslim-inspired headdresses as fashion, the wearing of native american headdresses for halloween and white gay men adopting the dialect of black women are other examples of cultural appropriation that are often called out (Thought.co). The examples are endless but it is important to consider the context of these situations. For example, is a tattoo performed on a person because it holds significance to that person or is the person receiving the tattoo because think it is cool? Why are musicians like Pharrell appearing on the front page of Elle fashion magazine wearing a traditional Native American headdress when this is considered a sacred item of the Native American culture which is only to be worn by war chiefs and warriors of native tribes?

Cultural appropriation is a huge concern for many reasons. For one, the concept of negative stereotypes is exploitative because it robs cultural groups of the respect and acknowledgement they ultimately deserve. In addition, a variety of Art and music forms had originated from minority cultural groups who then became associated with members of the dominant cultural groups who have been known to discredit the minority. The dominant group is usually deemed innovative, while the minority group are labelled with negative stereotypes that imply they lack in intelligence and creativity. During the 2013 American Music Awards, Katy Perry performed with a geisha-inspired performance of her new single, “Unconditionally.”

She claimed that she was paying homage to the Japanese culture. Asian Americans disagreed as they believed that her “yellowface”performance. They also believed there was an issue with the song choice, “Unconditionally,” with the stereotypical presentation of a passive Asian women. What one person perceives as a tribute to a culture, another group of people will perceive as a mockery or a form of disrespect. Katy Perry may not have intended to hurt or afford asian people, however, it was considered offensive that she was taking parts of the Japanese culture to promote her music. She took the beautiful, visual elements of the culture but did not embrace the significant and core traditions associated with it.

When adopting anything from a foreign culture it is crucial to follow some fundamental steps to create cultural awareness and avoid being accused of cultural appropriation. There are many people who have made cultural infringements that have affected another person or another cultural group without even realizing they are doing so. For this reason, it is important that people are aware of the steps they need to take to embrace other cultures and to also avoid disrespecting cultures unintentionally. The first step you should take towards avoiding cultural appropriation is to take the time to research the culture. Prior to adopting another culture, it pays to properly research and understand it. Taking elements of a culture without respect, knowledge or insight will ultimately lead to accusations of cultural theft and misrepresentation.

The second step is to ensure you do not overlook the sacred traditions of a culture. In western societies, it can be easy to completely ignore the sacred aspect of a culture. What might seem like a joke, or an innocent mistake to some, can actually cause serious distress and anger to others. Much of the world still holds some things sacred, whether that be God, gods, spirits, or any other symbolism. Using and abusing the sacred is an absolute no-no, unless you intentionally want to cause trouble.

The third step is to avoid encouraging shallow, one-dimensional stereotypes of a culture. One of the biggests problems with adopting from other cultures is that it can be based on stereotypes, which are often negative and incorrect. Stereotypes are often rigid generalized ideas that society imposes on others with whom they are unfamiliar or do not understand. The less people know about another person or cultural group, the more people have become dependent on stereotypes.. Hence, it is important that people decided to make a conscious effort to learn about a culture in more depth to understand it’s true identity and to avoid shallow stereotypes.

The fourth step is to acknowledge the diversity of the culture that you are embracing and promoting. An understanding of other cultures and traditions is vital when it comes to the long-term survival of humanity on earth. According to UNESCO, the conservation of many cultures and, in particular indigenous cultures is as important as the conservation of species and ecosystems to life (Butterworth-Heinemann). When people take the time to pay attention to the significance of other cultures and traditions, people are able develop a wider perspective and succeed in different areas of life. Recognizing and acknowledging other cultures is important aspect in the workforce as it encourages mutual knowledge and understanding between people by encouraging education and spreading culture and knowledge. For example, paying attention to the cultural differences in a business company can raise levels of co-operation and capitalize on different skills and abilities which can be an important asset in the productivity of a company. The ability to understand and utilize cultural differences can provide can cause a company to become a competitive threat.

Overall, it is important that people take the time to engage, promote and share the benefits of embracing the true traditions of a culture. It is important to engage with the culture you are adopting from to avoid cultural appropriation. Spend time in it, understand it, and then when you use a pattern, symbol, headdress or anything else, make sure you use that platform to promote that culture, its people and if possible share the benefits. To effectively build communities that are powerful enough to change, we need more people working together. If cultural groups join forces, they will be more effective in reaching common goals, than if each group operates in isolation.

Every culture has unique strengths and perspectives that all other cultures can benefit from. If people take the time to truly understand different cultures, there would be less racial and ethnic divisions. Racial and ethnic divisions result in misunderstandings, loss of opportunities, and can also lead to violence. Racial and ethnic conflicts drain communities of financial and human resources and they distract cultural groups from resolving the key issues they have in common.

An appreciation of cultural diversity is strongly connected to with an equal society. For example, research reveals that when students’ cultures are understood and they are appreciated by teacher, the students and friends, they tend to do better in school. In turn, students are more accepted and they feel as though they are a part of the school community. Hence, they work harder to achieve in life, and they are more successful in school. If we do not learn about the influences that cultural groups have had on our different cultures, we are all going to miss out on an accurate view of society and our communities. We would lose the unique, sacred, and beautiful part of who we are and also lose the meaning behind the traditions and beliefs of our ancestors.

Cultural heritage is the glue that binds us together as people. If we value our heritage, we can then to pass it on to our children with a little bit of ourselves attached to it. What we do now, how we live our lives and the character we build, will add to the heritage we leave behind for the next generation. It is important that people address the cultural issues of cultural arrogance, cultural appropriation and cultural borrowing so that we can continue to protect and preserve the importance of cultural heritage. The present is our priority. We need to protect and maintain what is still left of our culture heritage to ensure that the next generation can also embrace it.

Cited sources

  • Barker, Neave. “Bhutan: What It Means to Be Happy in the ‘Happiest Country’.” GCC News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 31 Oct. 2018, www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/bhutan-means-happy-happiest-country-181031111711933.html.
  • Fallas, Amy.”The Landmark 85-Year-Old Report Absent From Debates Over Missionary’s Death” Rewire News, Nov. 29, 2018, https://rewire.news/religion-dispatches/2018/11/29/the-landmark-85-year-old-report-absent-from-debates-over-missionarys-death/
  • Feeney, Nolan.”Katy Perry’s ‘Geisha-Style’ Performance Needs to Be Called Out”, The Atlantic, NOV 25, 2013
  • https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/katy-perrys-geisha-style-performance-needs-to-be-called-out/281805/
  • Nittle, Nadra. “A Guide to Understanding and Avoiding Cultural Appropriation”, Thought.co. June 01, 2018, https://www.thoughtco.com/cultural-appropriation-and-why-iits-wrong-2834561
  • Reisinger, Yvette. “International Tourism: Cultures and Behavior”. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008.

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British Council

Why protecting the world's cultural heritage concerns us all, by stephen stenning, 01 august 2016 - 13:22.

Palmyra in 2010.

Varun Shiv Kapur, licensed under CC BY 2.0 and adapted from the original .

What is our 'cultural heritage' and why does it need protection? The British Council's Stephen Stenning responds.

There's a saying that culture and cultural heritage 'shapes' us. Can you explain?

To be British, Scottish, a Londoner, a Cornishman is not a matter of genes or blood. It has something to do with our surroundings and history. We construct our identities from stories, objects and buildings that conjure up our ancestors' past: their glories, tragedies, or simply their day-to-day lives. When people describe an awe-inspiring historic site, they often imagine the people who once walked through its doors, worshipped under its roof, stared open-mouthed at its statues or picnicked next to its walls. A multitude of people came before us and shaped the world we live in today.

Can you give an example of how the culture that surrounds us influences who we are?

Some years ago, I took about 15 London teenagers to an international festival in Turkey. They took part alongside other groups from about 40 countries. On arrival, someone observed that although each of the young Londoners seemed to have a different ethnic origin, with various hair colours and skin tones, they were recognisable as a group by the way they behaved. All of them were relatively self-conscious, reserved and socially unadventurous. My point is that this was a group of young people whose families had arrived in London via different routes and from different places. Yet they were all identifiable as Londoners, because they had been shaped by the same things.

How have people tried to protect their cultural heritage in the past?

People will go to extraordinary lengths to shield valuable heritage at times of war or conflict. As a child, I remember being taken to the historic Welsh mining town of  Blaenau Ffestiniog  in search of a steam railway, and marvelling at the slate grey slag heaps. Apparently, the slate mines housed top-secret, specially constructed storage buildings that  hid thousands of valuable art works and artefacts  during the Second World War. The intent was to ensure our cultural property would not fall into the hands of the Nazis, should the UK be invaded. As the  National Gallery was later bombed  during the Blitz on London in 1941, this turned out to be a very wise move.

Maenofferen Quarry at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales

Carl Jones, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 and adapted from the original .

A more recent example can be found during the  January 2011 uprising  in Cairo's Tahrir Square, when revolutionary fervour and the withdrawal of the police offered an ideal opportunity for looters. From the first night of rioting, young activists  formed a human chain  around the National Museum that borders the square, helping security guards protect the treasures within.

What is the Hague Convention and what does it have to do with this?

The  Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict  was drawn up in 1954 as a response to the destruction of heritage and cultural property during the Second World War. Since then, more than 120 countries signed up to part or all of the convention. But it's only now that  the UK is adopting it into law . In fact, the UK was the last major nation to get on board.

Why did the UK take so long to sign up?

There were questions in the past about how robust the convention is, and it might be that those questions were a factor in delaying the UK’s ratification. The convention has been strengthened in recent years with the inclusion of criminal sanctions.

What's the extent of the damage to cultural heritage in countries where there are ongoing conflicts?

It's a challenge to co-ordinate and gather records to get a full picture of what has been damaged and destroyed, and to understand the priorities for protection.

Newspaper headlines have focused on attacks on world heritage sites, like the ancient city of  Palmyra  in Syria. In 2015, the  Temple of Baalshamin  and the third-century Roman  Arch of Triumph  were blown up by so-called  Islamic State  fighters. Footage of  militants smashing exhibits in Iraq's Mosul Museum  with sledgehammers and axes has been much-shared and broadcast.

However, the damaging effect of conflict goes well beyond the most famous sites, and what can be seen in the extremists' propaganda images and videos. A leading academic recently showed me before-and-after photos of an archaeological site in Iraq. In the ‘after’ picture, the entire site was pock-marked with thousands of holes, carelessly drilled by looters looking for objects to sell. It was a vivid and alarming illustration of the conflict's dual impact: first, the removal of law and order, and second, people's accompanying sense of desperation, fuelled by poverty, hunger and fear. It is unclear how much of worth had been scavenged from the site. It's unlikely that anything the looters found would have yielded them more than a few dollars, but the site itself was irreparably damaged.

What's going to change, now that the convention is to be ratified by the UK?

It will mean a good many changes. For example, there are very direct implications for the Ministry of Defence. On 18 May 2016, the Secretary of State announced in the House of Commons that, as part of the ratification process, the UK's armed forces would establish a military cultural protection group. Military personnel, police, and border agencies will have to be trained on cultural protection issues and the illicit trade in antiquities, so they can recognise and understand what needs protecting and where the key sites are. And on a broad symbolic level, it signals that the UK wants to understand and respect different cultures, by helping them protect their heritage and property.

Do people in the UK broadly support this decision?

The United Nations' description of the destruction of Palmyra as a  war crime  was echoed by just about every major UK newspaper. With Palmyra, we are talking about a  World Heritage Site . The point about these sites is that they are, according to the UN, ‘of outstanding cultural importance to the common heritage of humanity’. Their preservation and protection is important for mankind as a whole; they are part of our collective history.  Stonehenge  is not merely important to people who happen to be living in or around Salisbury Plain, where the prehistoric monument stands. Its protection isn’t a matter purely for the local Wiltshire County Council. Its destruction would never be seen as merely a local or even a national issue. It would be a crime against humanity that would leave all the world's inhabitants the poorer.

UK organisations can currently apply for grants available through the  Cultural Protection Fund  to carry out projects in a series of countries affected by conflict.

You might also be interested in:

  • Destroying cultural heritage: more than just material damage
  • What did Europe mean to Shakespeare?
  • How art helped these children traumatised by war

View the discussion thread.

British Council Worldwide

  • Afghanistan
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Czech Republic
  • Hong Kong, SAR of China
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • North Macedonia
  • Northern Ireland
  • Occupied Palestinian Territories
  • Philippines
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Switzerland
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America

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Special topics in art history

Course: special topics in art history   >   unit 1, what can be done to protect cultural heritage.

  • Organizations and agencies that work to protect cultural heritage

Demand is the driver for looting and destruction

Incorporate the consequences of the global antiquities trade into curriculum, universal and local value, focus on the local, want to join the conversation.

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The Importance Of Cultural Heritages

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  • Topic: Heritage , People

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