When most people hear the term ‘cultural heritage’, they think of art, historical monuments and buildings or archaeological sites. But the meaning of this concept is more complex than that.
It covers a broad range of issues such as: 1. Identity and belonging. It connects us with our ancestors.
1. Identity and Belonging
Cultural heritage refers to the physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a society that characterize its distinctiveness and identify its members as belonging to the community. It comprises works of art, music, archaeological and historical artifacts, landscapes, historic places, traditions, social customs, values and beliefs, language, architecture, and other intangible aspects that shape and define a culture.
These cultural assets are not only a source of pride, but also a means of connecting with others. A common example is how African masks were used by Picasso in his paintings, or how neoclassical houses inspired Liberian homes built by freed enslaved individuals in America.
In a recent study, stated preference methods were used to investigate the interplay between identity processes and acculturation orientations in the friendship domain. The results indicate that adolescents who were more committed to preserving their cultural heritage reported higher in-depth exploration of their commitment at T2. The findings further support the view that maintenance of a particular cultural heritage facilitates identification with and attachment to the community.
2. Historical Perspective
The concept of cultural heritage has been the subject of much scholarly attention worldwide. It consists of the sites, things and practices that a society regards as old, important, and worthy of preservation.
It often brings to mind artifacts such as paintings, drawings, prints, mosaics and sculptures as well as historic buildings and towns and traditional craftsmanship. But it also includes immaterial traditions such as oral history, social practices and the polyphonic singing of the Aka of Central Africa.
It is important to remember that cultural boundaries are not well defined. Artists, writers, scientists, craftsmen and musicians learn from each other even if they belong to cultures far removed in space and time. The influence of Japanese prints on Paul Gauguin’s paintings and African masks on Pablo Picasso’s works are good examples of this. A cold distant form of history would be dead without the life of the present. A socio-cultural rapprochement of history is therefore needed.
3. Tourism and Economic Growth
The concept of cultural heritage encompasses both tangible and intangible attributes of society. Tangible artifacts are museums, historical monuments, buildings, sites and cities, whilst intangible aspects include traditional crafts, festivals, social customs and traditions, beliefs and values, religions and the natural environment. The emergence of new cultures from the globalizing world is also considered part of the cultural heritage.
Tourism is an important economic activity involving the consumption of cultural heritage, and is thus subject to the same economic principles as any other commodity. However, cultural tourism is more than simply commercial exploitation of cultural heritage. It consists of a complex set of interrelated factors such as destination management, product development and marketing, visitor satisfaction and cultural awareness.
In this context, a sustainable approach to the management of cultural heritage should take into account the need to promote tourism in regions with less visited historical monuments. This will stimulate the economy and contribute to regional growth.
4. Cultural Diversity
People with different cultures have much to offer each other. Diverse perspectives can lead to creative solutions for complex problems. Whether it’s in the workplace, a school setting, or a cultural event like the Nikkei Photo Contest, having a diverse culture provides many upsides that can foster creativity and community cohesion.
The preservation of cultural heritage requires a joint effort between individuals, communities, governments, and international organizations. This includes both tangible and intangible heritage assets, as well as the protection of historical and natural heritage sites.
It also requires freedom of expression and media pluralism, multilingualism, and equal access to art and scientific knowledge in its various forms. Johnson quotes Bourdieu, describing the field of culture as being “a complex of social institutions, with their internalized codes of cognitive decipher” that enable us to comprehend each other’s cultural heritage and exchange ideas across cultures. The preservation of cultural heritage can be achieved through education, including learning different languages and exposing children to different cultures.