The Importance of Preserving Cultural Heritage
Most people now understand the importance of protecting distinctive cultural heritage in the rapidly shifting global environment. For example, the well-known list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites includes locations chosen for extra protection due to their importance to the globe. On the other hand, the ICH list is distinct since it tries to document commonplace customs and traditions as well as conversational traditions like storytelling that are in danger due to globalization. Some of them are languages and poetry, the arts of performance, traditional crafts, and local knowledge and customs. The ICH list now includes more than 400 traditions and practices.
Examples of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Two recent entries demonstrate the list’s wide range of protection practices. The first is the falconry tradition, and the second is the Jeju Haeyeo culture of female divers from Jeju Island. Falconry and Jeju Haeyeo both serve as examples of the wide variety of cultural activities that the ICH list was designed to protect. Nevertheless, it could be too late to save much of this rich and varied cultural legacy in the era of increasing globalization, when fewer individuals are interested in learning about the customs of their ancestors. Yet it’s crucial never to cease protecting artifacts that are part of a specific people’s culture, were made in the past, and still have worth for the benefit of future generations.
The Challenge of Preserving the Intangible
The article “Protecting our Intangible Cultural Heritage” by Linda Barker essentially emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation. While some tangible assets, like buildings or art, can be preserved easily, a bigger part of different cultures is in danger of extinction. It is relatively complex to save and preserve folklore, ritual practices, and other intangible assets that may seem invaluable in the modern world. However, I believe it is the most essential part of any culture, which must be preserved at all costs.