"Deterioration or disappearance of any item of the cultural or natural heritage constitutes a harmful impoverishment of the heritage of all the nations of the world,"--UNESCO World Heritage Convention 1972, Preamble
Beyond the immediate economic benefits of tourism, the value of cultural heritage to a country, state, city, or individual is.....
Beyond the immediate economic benefits of tourism, the value of cultural heritage to a country, state, city, or individual is.....
Meshing of past & present
Italy in its modern form is a relatively new country. Its cultural heritage, especially from the Renaissance, is a source of pride for the entire country. It represents a time when Italy was the center of culture, when the dozens of city-states shared culture and ideas, and when Italians pushed the bounds of the arts. The history of Italy lends it prestige as a country, since it has long been a land of new ideas and rich culture. This is true of many places around Europe, whether it be a country, state, or city. The value of cultural heritage to an individual resident is a little different. The history provides a sense of unity in the community. It took many generations to build the city, and it will take the work of many future individuals working together to preserve the culture. The heritage is also a source of pride and wonder for an individual. To see something older and grander than yourself is a wonderful experience. Living among so many examples of past greatness is something worth preserving. Ultimately though, the value of cultural heritage is dependent on that modern society's priorities. Fortunately, humans have a drive to preserve what awes them, even if they cannot explain fully why it has value beyond tourists' money.
- Thomas
- Thomas
White Night in Florence
Modern Florence is in sync with its cultural heritage, and a perfect example of the relationship was the "Notte Bianca," or "White Night" event. Notte Bianca was a modern celebration set in the Renaissance-era buildings at the center of the city. Throngs of people crowded every street, and huge crowds entered the Renaissance palazzos and museums, many of which were open late into the night and featured reduced or free admission. Outside in the piazzas, performances featured modern music and light shows, and many stores were open to sell their wares. We were incredibly lucky to be in Florence that week, as it provided a chance to see the city embracing its past.
-Thomas & Anthony
-Thomas & Anthony
A Phenomenon Unknown to Many Citizens of the United States...
Modern Florence, as well as Rome, did an awfully fine job explaining to me something the United States, as a whole, is lacking: the population being aware of and embracing their cultural heritage. Most members of my generation are rather disconnected from our cultural heritage and the significance of our history, myself included. Sure, students can rattle off dates for historical moments, but not many can discuss what things around them mean, and fewer still might attach any sentimental value to our cultural heritage. Our society simply does not make room for such things: they don't fit in with the things mainstream society holds most important. Seeing cultural heritage (and not as another history lesson), as well as seeing that heritage embraced, definitely put our society in stark contrast with it and brought to mind many questions. What would our society be like if it were more willing to embrace our heritage simply for the sake of doing so? Would this bring improvements or changes in how people think, change our relative perspective regarding domestic and global issues, or perhaps affect how the populace interacts with the political system? Many people of various degrees of authority have speculated recently about whether or not the United States of America is in decline. Is awareness of our cultural heritage relevant to that question? I would postulate that the answer to that question is yes, and going on this trip to see Florence and Rome brought this question to the forefront for me.
-Sam
-Sam