Cultural heritage is something we all cherish and protect, and we should never let it be taken for granted. While large-scale traditions transmit practices through generations, their survival depends on the individual, and their death may result in appreciable cultural loss. Cultural objects are also part of human social life, and their preservation is critical to the future of civilization. Here are some ways to protect your cultural heritage. Let us begin with an example. Cultural objects are items that have special meaning for individuals.
As they are not for sale, they can’t be freely traded. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Inalienable cultural property must remain in the country from which it was taken and must not be exported. In this case, other Member States must provide the means to recover it. The cultural properties cannot be traded freely in the same way as non-inalienable cultural property. This is why states can decide on what cultural heritage is inalienable.
Cultural heritage can be material or immaterial. Some cultures view their cultural heritage as architecture, artifacts, and archeological sites. Others define it as all forms of human expression. This includes African masks, Vedic chanting, Kabuku theater, music, and crafts. It is a valuable part of the social fabric of a society, and preserving it can help ensure its future. The idea of cultural heritage can be used to protect our cultural values, but the reality is more complicated.
Some governments recognize the value of cultural heritage and use it as a means to heal after conflict or reconcile people with the past. After World War II, Japan sought to recover its cultural treasures. General Douglas MacArthur aided the Japanese in their effort to preserve their cultural treasures. As a result, after the war, the former concentration camp Auschwitz was turned into a museum and memorial. Similarly, the Holocaust Memorial at the foot of the U.S. Capitol teaches the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation.
Maltese law also prohibits the export of cultural property. This ban varies from country to country, depending on the type of cultural property. Cultural property rights are a form of ownership and entitles the person with it to an equitable solution. However, this solution should be determined based on the particular circumstances of the cultural heritage object in question. This law will prevent illegal and unwarranted activities. It is not a substitute for legal or political protection.
While the 1970 UNESCO Convention appoints states as the exclusive owners of national cultural heritage, this is not a universal solution. It fails to recognize the changing value of cultural objects. This results in blind spots that surface in dispute resolution regarding artifacts that have left their original setting. As a result, the parties may be different: private individuals may be seeking protection for their cultural heritage while states are unwilling to recognize these rights.