Reflections on Cultural and Heritage Diversity
Keywords:
Truth and authenticity, mythology, tradition and modernity, intangible and tangible cultural heritage, cultural expression, living tradition, human creativity, landscape, cultural landscape, urbanised territory, cultural remains.Abstract
The present article is an attempt to provide an overview on what characterises cultural and heritage diversity of humanity. The search for a meaning in the environment and in the creation of the universe is noted very early in the evolution of human beings, probably in the Palaeolithic period. It has found expression in mythology, in traditional processes as well as in the creative design of the habitat and art works, such as rock art, which show an incredible maturity already very early. While modernity has introduced new approaches in the interpretation of the environment, understanding the origins and evolution of human thought continue having their role in modern heritage policies. The notion of human cultural expressions, introduced by UNESCO in 2005, can refer to four different types of resources: a) living traditions and communication, b) monuments and memorials, c) exceptional creative achievements, and d) recognition of ancient remains as heritage. In this context, the notion of Landscape can be understood as a panorama or in reference to a painting. Cultural Landscape, instead, is fundamentally referred to the recognition of a territory for its historical and archaeological qualities, including designed and sacred landscapes. The notion of Historic Urban Landscape was introduced by UNESCO in 2011, to recognise the significance of the setting to a heritage resource, and the necessity to extend management to the broader territorial context within the more general integrated urban conservation approach always taking into account the specificity and significance of each place and territory.
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