Cultural heritage is a treasured legacy that reflects our shared humanity. It defines our identity, connects us to our ancestors, and provides a framework to understand the world we live in. It also helps preserve historical narratives, helping us learn from our mistakes and appreciate the progress we have made as a society. Despite these many benefits, it is important to remember that cultural heritage is under threat and requires concerted efforts from individuals, communities, governments, and international organizations to protect it.
Cultural Heritage is comprised of tangible and intangible elements. Tangible cultural heritage includes museums, monuments, and archaeological sites, as well as works of art. Intangible cultural heritage, on the other hand, refers to those social practices and rituals that are passed from generation to generation within a community. These include musical and dance traditions such as tango and flamenco, traditional craftsmanship, representations in the arts such as costumes and masks, and oral history, among others. It is essential that this element of heritage be recognized and protected because it carries a wealth of knowledge and skills that are not transmitted in written form and is unique to each community.
While the protection of cultural heritage is a challenge, it has also been an opportunity for countries to promote tourism and economic growth. Moreover, it is an excellent tool to foster a sense of belonging and foster cultural diversity. Nevertheless, preserving and protecting cultural heritage can be difficult, particularly in areas of conflict. In this context, the Penn Cultural Heritage Center (PennCHC) has been working closely with Syrians and Iraqis through the Safeguarding Heritage in Syria and Iraq (SHOSI) Project.
One of the most challenging aspects of protecting heritage is balancing the interests of private and public rights. For example, the ancient Romans established that a work of art could be considered part of the heritage of a city, even if it was privately owned. However, this is an issue that can arise in modern societies as well.
Another challenge to preserving culture is the lack of awareness. Many people may not be aware of the importance of protecting their culture, or they may think that their culture is not valuable enough to preserve. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by teaching cultural heritage in schools and creating more opportunities for young people to interact with their local culture.
Lastly, another problem is the destruction of cultural heritage during conflict. The PennCHC has been working with the Conflict Culture Research Network to examine why and how cultural heritage is targeted during conflict. The research team has partnered with more than 17 international organizations and has worked closely with over 70 interns and volunteers.
In addition to addressing these challenges, the PennCHC is also exploring ways to better identify and analyze the information available on museums worldwide. The results of this initiative will be compiled into a global map of museums, providing an invaluable resource for researchers and the wider public.