Heritage can include physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are valued for cultural or other reasons. It also includes archaeological sites and precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value.
It is important to understand what you want to preserve from your heritage. Don’t carry on traditions that are abusive or false.
What is Cultural Heritage?
Heritage is a legacy handed down from generation to generation. It is composed of both tangible and intangible aspects of a culture, such as a town site, an archeological site or work of art. It can also encompass cultural values, traditions, and beliefs that a society holds to be important or worthy of preservation. This cultural heritage can be seen as a source of identity and pride, as well as a link to one’s past and ancestors.
It is important to note that what a person considers their cultural heritage may differ depending on their own perspective, background and experience, as well as the values and beliefs of their community. The definition of what can be considered heritage is thus a constantly evolving one and can be perceived as being influenced by different factors, including political, economic and religious pressures.
The concept of heritage has been the object of increasing scholarly and public interest, but is highly complex. According to the Central European University Cultural Heritage Studies Program, a heritage is “a socially constructed concept whose categories are created by historically changing value systems.”
While the concept of cultural heritage is not without its critics, it is nevertheless a valuable one. It is a way to connect with one’s ancestors and the past, it provides a sense of belonging and connection to one’s community, and it can even inspire tourism and economic growth.
It is therefore essential that cultural heritage material is preserved and accessible for future generations. However, this can be difficult when dealing with historical documents that are prone to biodeterioration and other threats such as improper storage or neglect. Tools such as Transkribus can help by making it possible to digitise, decipher and preserve historical documents while simultaneously making them available for researchers and the general public. This will ensure that the knowledge, cultural significance and beauty of these invaluable records is not lost to time and deterioration.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
In contrast to the tangible cultural heritage of buildings, objects and artworks that can be seen or touched, intangible cultural heritage consists of social customs, traditions, expressions, rituals, particular knowledge of nature and craft skills that are passed down from generation to generation. This form of cultural heritage is at risk of disappearing because of globalization. To address this, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) created the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003.
UNESCO defines the elements of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as “social customs and traditions, representations, performances and activities, practices, beliefs or values and knowledge and skills concerning nature and the universe that people recognise as part of their cultural heritage, which they wish to preserve and transmit to future generations.”
The goal is to keep these aspects of culture alive, but not to freeze them in time. A good example is folk dance, where the choreographic patterns are preserved by documenting, preserving and reinterpreting them in the form of video recordings or photographic documentation. This can be challenging, as it is a complex activity that requires the attention of many specialists.
In addition to documenting and preserving intangible cultural heritage, it is also important to educate people about its value. A good way to do this is through festivals and community events that celebrate ICH. These types of activities can bring a sense of pride in the past, foster a connection with the present and create a vision for the future.
While the examples in this clearinghouse can serve as inspiration for those looking to engage with ICH, each learning space presents unique opportunities and challenges. We encourage educators to adapt the projects and resources found here to their specific learning spaces. We hope that by doing so, these initiatives can contribute to the creation of a global community of practice for ICH in education.