Cultural heritage is the collection of expressions, beliefs and values that a group or community recognizes as their own. It is more than a place or a monument; it includes traditions, folklore, music, dance, architecture, cuisine, the history of peoples’ interactions with nature and their environment, as well as the knowledge and skills they have developed over the centuries.
The concept of culture and its natural surroundings is based on historically changing value systems that have been accepted by different groups of people. These values have resulted in the establishment of various categories such as world heritage, national heritage and other regional distinctions. These classifications serve as a reference point for the development of different cultural narratives and societal consensus about the past and present.
While the resurgence of COVID-19 has rightly drawn much attention, a less discussed but important effect is the heavy strain it has placed on efforts to preserve our City’s rich cultural heritage. As we all know, many museums, schools, libraries, churches, restaurants and other cultural venues have been forced to close during the pandemic.
The loss of these treasured institutions is more than a loss for local communities, but it threatens the wider heritage of our cities and nations as a whole. The value of our cultural heritage is a vital component to the cultural and economic health of a nation, generating economic opportunities in areas such as tourism and providing a sense of identity and continuity for future generations.
It is also a source of inspiration, encouraging people to embrace change and adapt to new circumstances by learning from the ways in which others have done so successfully in the past (Holtorf Citation2015; Saito Citation2016). The preservation of our cultural heritage is therefore an opportunity to foster cultural resilience, by showing that, even in the face of catastrophes, humanity has survived and flourished through its ability to overcome challenges.
Moreover, because cultural boundaries are often blurred – artists and writers learn from each other across the globe, incorporating elements of other cultures into their work – there is great benefit in preserving the cultural expressions of diverse societies. This allows a greater understanding of the diversity of human expression, beliefs and values, and contributes to our shared cultural heritage as global citizens.
In this way, the preservation of our cultural heritage helps to ensure that we can all share in a common human heritage. It’s the reason why we must do everything in our power to ensure that we continue to preserve and protect the sites, buildings, structures, landscapes and relics of our cultural heritage. After all, our cultural heritage reflects the journey of a generation towards a brighter and more prosperous future.