Cultural heritage is defined by communities, groups and individuals who value and transmit it. It is only when they recognize it that something becomes heritage and can be preserved.
What people consider to be their heritage depends on many factors, including social beliefs, education and privilege/marginalization. Therefore, defining what is cultural heritage can be very complicated.
What is cultural heritage?
Cultural heritage is the entire set of cultural objects and traditions – both tangible (buildings, monuments, works of art) and intangible (customs, practices, values and beliefs) – that represent a culture and its history and that should be preserved for future generations. It also refers to the process of selecting what is considered to be cultural heritage for preservation, which can differ significantly between communities.
The concept of cultural heritage has developed as a result of historically changing value systems and is constantly evolving. It is based on the assumption that what a society preserves as cultural heritage defines its identity and contributes to its survival.
The term is often used in legal contexts to define property that should be protected, notably through State legislation or an international convention (such as the 1972 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage). These properties are defined as “cultural sites”, which include buildings or combined works of art and nature and archaeological sites, and sites of precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from a historical, aesthetic or ethnological point of view.
What is tangible heritage?
Heritage is expressed in objects and buildings, monuments and sites that are physically existent and have cultural significance. These are primarily the tangible aspects of culture that have been preserved and passed on through generations. The Taj Mahal, Machu Pichu, and the Great Wall of China are examples of heritage.
These physical artifacts are tangible expressions of a society’s aspirations, values, and beliefs. They shape the way a country is perceived worldwide and play a critical role in shaping national identity.
They are the reason people travel across the world to visit these historical places and experience the culture and traditions of a nation or region. However, there are many threats to the preservation of this cultural heritage. These include illicit trafficking of cultural property and pillaging of archaeological sites, among other issues. It is important to sustain this heritage so that future generations can experience it. This requires the community that lives with it to become a steward of this heritage and help protect it from harm.
What is intangible heritage?
Intangible heritage consists of traditions, oral history, performing arts, social practices, traditional craftsmanship, representations and knowledge transmitted from generation to generation within a community. It can also include things that may be more difficult to categorize like worldviews and spirituality or the way a community interacts with nature.
It can be more difficult to preserve intangible cultural heritage, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. In fact, preserving these traditions is an essential part of the human experience and gives individuals a sense of connection to their own cultures.
Traditionally, the people who worked with cultural heritage came from an academic background — think archaeology or art history — but now it’s increasingly clear that those working in this field need management training as well. This is because they must find funding, manage people from different disciplines, ensure the intended outcome is achieved, and plan for sustainable cultural heritage management. This will be especially important as cultural heritage projects move towards globalization.
What is the definition of cultural heritage?
Cultural heritage is the collection of the values, traditions and art of a particular culture. It can include buildings, archaeological sites, monuments, paintings and other works of art, as well as the written word such as manuscripts. It also includes intangible heritage such as oral history, performing arts and social practices.
The exact definition of cultural heritage varies from country to country, as it is dependent on local values and interests. However, most definitions of cultural heritage include artefacts and buildings that have symbolic or historic value, as well as those with aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological importance.
Ultimately, it is up to the community to preserve their own cultural heritage. This can be done by educating children, helping them to understand and appreciate their past, and encouraging them to participate in traditional activities such as dancing the tango or flamenco, performing oral history or storytelling, making and playing instruments or taking part in religious celebrations and rituals.