Cultural heritage is the sum of a society’s collective memories and traditions. It encompasses everything from artifacts (paintings, drawings, prints, mosaics and sculptures) to historical buildings and monuments, archeological sites and even entire cities. It can also include intangible heritage such as musical practices, dances and rituals. Heritage is a vital aspect of the identity of a nation or region and can be found all around the world. It is often seen as a source of pride and a catalyst for economic development. It is also the source of cultural tourism.
When a person thinks of cultural heritage, they may immediately visualize the works of art and architecture that make up a museum’s collection or the ruins of an ancient city. However, the concept of cultural heritage is much broader than that and encompasses all elements that represent human creativity and expression: music, dance, language, festivals, crafts, traditions, knowledge of natural spaces and beliefs. It even includes aspects of the natural environment like biodiversity, geological elements and landscapes.
It is often a matter of debate whether certain aspects of culture are worthy of preservation or not. In many instances, the decision on what to preserve is a political one and is based on what a culture considers important for their future generations. These decisions can have a profound effect on the identity and well-being of a people.
The UNESCO Convention on the Intangible Cultural Heritage has triggered numerous discussions as to how it should be defined and safeguarded. In particular, the question of whether or not intangible heritage should be considered as separate from, or even dependent on, its material counterpart has emerged.
While the controversies over this issue are not likely to disappear soon, there is hope that they will open up the possibility of a more holistic approach to heritage studies and heritage business. Nevertheless, it is crucial to keep in mind that the definition and value of cultural heritage is a political and social construct and therefore should not be seen as an objective and neutral field of study.
When cultural heritage is threatened, it can have devastating impacts on the communities who cherish it. For instance, the destruction of tangible cultural heritage by nonstate armed groups, militias or despotic governments is more than just a physical loss; it inflicts psychological damage on those who see their cultural heritage as being destroyed. Similarly, the desecration of sacred places of worship such as churches or mosques is a form of cultural and religious genocide. It is for this reason that the protection of cultural heritage must be a major concern of all nations. The purposeful destruction of heritage by armed militias, terrorist organizations or by military forces is seen as a serious violation of international law and is condemned worldwide. This has led to a growing awareness of the need to strengthen and reinforce national capacities in the area of cultural heritage management. However, it is essential that these efforts are based on an in-depth understanding of how cultural heritage should be protected and used.