Cultural heritage includes both the tangible (like art and monuments) and intangible elements such as traditions, language, music, and customs. These are the things that make us who we are, and are a source of pride and identity. They also define our relationships with other people.
A key concept is that heritage represents a set of values that evolve over time, and that the value system of a particular community can differ from that of another community. These differences influence the way heritage is viewed, and therefore how it should be managed. It also influences the decisions that are made about which objects, natural environment, and traditional activities are preserved. The choice of what to preserve is a reflection of the identity and values of a particular society, and it can set a direction for future development.
This is a complex subject because there are many different opinions about what constitutes cultural heritage. There are also many challenges to heritage conservation. These include the lack of funding and training, the insecurity of heritage sites, illegal trafficking, poor destination management, cultural conflicts, and human rights violations. However, there are some things that we can do to help.
The first step is to identify the cultural heritage of a particular country or region. This can be done by studying the culture, history, and architecture of a place. Then, it is important to find ways to protect this heritage from harm. For example, a city may need to create zoning laws that are designed to protect historic buildings.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is how the public views heritage. It is essential to involve the public in decision making about the preservation of cultural heritage, and this can be done by consulting with local experts. It is also important to ensure that the heritage is accessible to the public, so it can be enjoyed by all.
Bringing more rigor to the estimation of the financial and broader economic, tangible, and intangible values of cultural heritage is an essential step toward ensuring that it is protected and conserved. This will not only help governments recognize the importance of preserving their cultural heritage, but it will also help them to address issues that threaten this heritage. For example, the destruction of tangible cultural heritage by nonstate armed groups, militias, despotic governments, or invading armies is an act of cultural and physical genocide that can be compared to the loss of life.
Moreover, intangible cultural heritage is just as valuable as the objects and structures that are physically protected. This is because intangible heritage reflects the collective memory of a culture and can be a source of inspiration for new ideas, such as when artists or scientists are inspired by something they have seen abroad. This is why it is so important for all nations and cultures to protect their cultural heritage, whether it be the music of an African tribe or a building that was designed by a famous architect.