Cultural heritage is a global asset that inspires empathy and solidarity among people. It promotes interconnectedness, which is vital in a world of increasing polarization.
It is difficult to quantify these intangible values, but new techniques are now available. Better estimates of these benefits will help society focus on a dimension of atrocities that goes beyond physical destruction of monuments and buildings: cultural and social genocide.
Preservation and conservation
Preserving cultural heritage is a complex task. It requires a balance between conservation and utilisation. It has been an issue since the Enlightenment, when thinkers advocated rationality and wanted to liberate people from superstition and myth. As a result, the Grand Tour became a must for young European gentry and aristocrats to polish their education by visiting historical sites [25].
Intangible cultural heritage includes traditions, social practices, traditional craftsmanship and representations. Examples include the tango and flamenco, the Viennese coffee house culture, Chinese shadow puppetry, Kabuki theatre and African polyphonic singing.
These cultural heritages can be adaptively reused to achieve sustainable development from economic, ecological and social dimensions. They are important to reduce natural erosion, disasters and conflicts, and also for the preservation of cultural context, which promotes social acculturation and decreases social contradiction. They can also be a source of innovation to improve productivity, support economic growth and create new jobs [1]. They are vital to the identity of unique communities.
Digital tools
Digital tools are enabling a broad range of applications for cultural heritage, from promoting virtual tourism to documenting intangible heritage. However, it is important to consider the specific characteristics of each type of cultural asset when developing these technologies.
For example, dance-related digital tools may require a specific system to record and archive the various types of movements, emotions, and aesthetics of each performance. Intangible cultural heritage such as choreography can be digitized in a variety of ways, including through 3D data capture and digitization or through augmented reality (AR) platforms.
Another challenge for digitising cultural heritage is the possible lack of technical skills among local cultural curators. The EU-funded inDICES project developed several digital tools to help small cultural institutions (CHIs) adopt these new technologies. These included the Participatory Space, the Visual Analytics Dashboard and the Self Assessment Tool. These tools offer CHIs well-researched policy recommendations and digital solutions to ensure their continued relevance in today’s society.
Technological mediation
The metaverse can help to preserve cultural heritage by providing a platform to share virtual representations of heritage sites and artifacts in ways that can be accessed by people with limited resources. However, the metaverse also poses challenges including security and privacy issues that need to be addressed. For example, hackers could use the metaverse to steal or manipulate heritage information, or it may be used by terrorists to plan attacks. The metaverse should be designed with these concerns in mind to ensure its safe and responsible use.
The metaverse can also help to democratize heritage representation, allowing marginalized voices and perspectives to be heard and included in the digital heritage landscape. But it is important to ensure that these efforts are not simply serving to reinforce existing inequalities. In addition, the development of the metaverse must be guided by ethical frameworks and interdisciplinary collaborations. Governments and cultural institutions can support this effort by providing funding for advanced technology and implementing programs to boost digital literacy, especially in underserved communities so that more people can participate in these digital heritage experiences.
Who owns the past?
Cultural heritage is a tangible representation of value systems, beliefs, traditions and lifestyles developed over time by certain groups or societies. As a result, communities have the right to determine whether something is part of their heritage. However, this concept is also broadened by international agreements and directives that have led to the notion of a global outline of heritage.
This includes not only historical buildings and museums but also unique environmental features and intangible expressions. It is therefore important to protect these sites and artifacts through legal means, such as through the PS8 model.
Preserving cultural heritage benefits everyone in many ways. It creates jobs in the tourism sector, contributes to economic growth, and gives a sense of identity and belonging. It is also a window to the past, connecting us to our ancestors and enabling us to learn from their mistakes and successes. It is therefore essential to safeguard historic buildings, traditions, and languages in order to preserve the past for future generations.