Cultural heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living connection between our ancestors and ourselves. The destruction of tangible cultural heritage by nonstate armed groups, militias, despotic governments, or invading armies is a form of cultural and social genocide.
Better estimation of the values attributed to cultural heritage can help protect it. It can also remind policy makers of its importance in strengthening a local and national sense of identity.
What is Cultural Heritage?
When most people hear the term cultural heritage, they think of art, historical monuments and buildings or archaeological sites. But the concept is broader than this and encompasses not only physical objects, but also ideas, beliefs, traditions and values.
The term has evolved over time, and it’s now a well-established concept in international law. The 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects defines cultural heritage as “art works, manuscripts, books, musical instruments, antique furniture, fabrics and other movable items of cultural significance”.
However, the notion is continually evolving and it’s now becoming increasingly important to incorporate intangible cultural heritage into the definition, too. Intangible cultural heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills – as well as the instruments, materials and cultural spaces associated with them – that are passed down from generation to generation within a community. These include dances such as the tango and flamenco, religious festivals, traditional craftsmanship, oral history, cuisine and even certain forms of storytelling, such as theatre and improvisational comedy.
What is the Definition of Cultural Heritage?
When we hear the word cultural heritage, we think of cool artifacts and ancient buildings, but there is much more to it. The UNESCO definition is: “Cultural heritage is the collection of cultural properties and intangible attributes that reflect the historical and cultural characteristics of groups and societies.”
The cultural part includes the traditions, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills of communities. It also refers to the tools, artifacts and cultural spaces that are associated with these. This includes everything from tango and flamenco to Azerbaijani carpet weaving, kabuki theatre, Chinese shadow puppetry, the Mediterranean diet, and the polyphonic singing of the Aka people of central Africa.
Natural heritage is another important aspect of cultural heritage. The Operational Guidelines include the definitions of World Heritage Sites, which are monuments, towns and archaeological sites that have outstanding universal value from a cultural point of view (including their setting, architecture and landscape). A site can be both cultural and natural, but it must have clear evidence that it reflects major stages in human history and has cultural values and associations.
What is the Difference Between Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage?
The values attributed to tangible cultural heritage and the intangible aspects that give it meaning are intricately linked. To preserve tangible heritage, we must identify the values that it holds for the people who use it, and understand how those values relate to the larger society.
Intangible cultural heritage includes practices, representations, expressions, plus knowledge and skills that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of activities, including the traditional Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico, tango dancing in Argentina and Uruguay, Vedic chanting from India, and Japan’s ‘Washoku’ culinary customs stressing seasonality and balance of flavor.
Safeguarding intangible heritage involves effective documentation and communicating it to future generations. Modern digital technology can help in this effort, bringing new dimensions to heritage interpretation and education through immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences. Jobs in this field include archaeologists, museum curators, building engineers, and cultural guides.
What is the Definition of Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Intangible cultural heritage includes traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices passed down through generations in a culture. It can include the way a cuisine is prepared or how a traditional song is performed. This form of heritage helps to define a culture and can be an important part of building strong communities. It also reflects the emotions and experiences of the people who create it.
For example, Flamenco dancing in Spain, Vedic chanting in India, and Japan’s ‘Washoku’ culinary customs are all considered intangible cultural heritage. This type of heritage is often invisible to the outside world, but it plays a critical role in preserving cultures and underscoring global diversity.
As the world becomes more connected, it’s important to preserve and protect intangible cultural heritage so that future generations can experience them. Communities play an essential role in protecting their own heritage, and it’s up to everyone to support and encourage this preservation. By learning more about different cultures, we can help to ensure that their traditions are not lost in the fast-paced world of globalization.