Whether it’s your grandfather’s old diaries or the ancient manuscripts in your library, each of these artefacts carry a cultural significance that deserves to be preserved for the generations to come. The idea of protecting cultural heritage is not new – ancient civilizations like the Indian sages considered preservation as a sacred duty. But in recent times, the concept of cultural heritage has garnered a lot of interest and recognition. This is mainly due to the fact that it is a crucial component of a person’s identity and a major source of inspiration for human creativity.
Most of us think of historical monuments and buildings, archeological sites and works of art when we hear about cultural heritage. However, there is much more to it than that. Intangible cultural heritage consists of practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that are transmitted from generation to generation within a community and which give it its identity and continuity. These include a dizzying array of traditions, music and dances (from tango and flamenco to the traditional forms of folk dancing) as well as social practices, traditional craftsmanship and representations such as the Azerbaijani carpet weaving tradition or the Mediterranean diet, as well as rituals and knowledge such as Vedic chanting, Kabuki theatre or the polyphonic singing of the Aka of Central Africa.
These intangible cultural heritage elements are inherently inter-linked, and they form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. They are constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response to their environment and history, and they are what makes a culture unique. They are what gives people a sense of identity and belonging, and which makes them feel part of a larger whole. Intangible cultural heritage also contributes to the development of human creativity. It enables us to learn from the past, to understand the present, and to predict the future.
As such, it is important that intangible cultural heritage be protected and safeguarded by all countries, with the help of international treaties and soft law instruments. But what does this mean in practice? This article will explore the current state of international cultural heritage protection and its prospects for the future.
A number of challenges and threats face cultural heritage around the world. These include the deterioration of cultural monuments caused by natural and man-made factors, as well as the lack of funding for their conservation and maintenance. In addition, there are increasing pressures from tourists, which may lead to the destruction of cultural heritage sites and threaten their long-term sustainability.
This is why it’s so important to protect cultural heritage and ensure that it is accessible for everyone. At Transkribus, we are dedicated to helping preserve cultural heritage by deciphering and digitizing historical documents and making them available to the public. By doing this, we hope to help create a better understanding of cultural heritage and the world’s rich history. By improving the way that we view cultural heritage, it will make it easier for us to preserve it in the future.