the essential role of interpretation in safeguarding cultural heritage presentation

8/8/2019 The Essential Role of Interpretation in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage Presentation

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THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF INTERPRETATION

INSAFEGUARDING

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Arlene K. FlemingCultural Resource Specialist

May 2005


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INTERPRETATION - Characteristics

Integral for conservation

Fundamental to positive outcomes

Related to: Authenticity and integrity

Cultural significance and context

Social responsibility / community developmentConflicting perspectives

Source: Draft Ename Charter Preamble (2004)


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INTERPRETATION Audience

Draft Ename Charter

Visitors to sites Passive

Seek enjoyment and education

Broaden Ename Charter to include:

Decision makers Active Determine site establishment, protection,

conservation, management


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INTERPRETATION Sites

Draft Ename Charter

Established, protected sites

Broaden Ename Charter to include sites:

Not established or protected

Endangered or contested

Occupied by property owners

Other circumstances


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Interpretation of a site or landscape is:

Based on viewers experience, knowledge,

values, objectives

Influenced by information on heritage value


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Timely, focused, targeted interpretation may beessential for establishing, safeguarding, restoring,

reconstructing and managing heritage sites.


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Four examples from World Bank-

financed projects

Mostar Bridge Bosnia and Herzegovina

Asmara Eritrea

Ningbo - China

Bujagali Falls Uganda


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Mostar Bridge


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Mostar Bridge - Stakeholders

Bosniak and Croat residents

Croat and Serb military

Cultural heritage organizations

Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Foreign governments and investors

International public


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Mostar Bridge Role of Interpretation

Symbolic importance:

Unity 1566-1992

Territorial marker during conflict 1992-93

Reconciliation post conflict 1995 --

Permanence of heritage


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Asmara
http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/africa/asmaraarchitecture06.shtmlhttp://www.traveladventures.org/continents/africa/asmaraarchitecture03.shtmlhttp://www.traveladventures.org/continents/africa/asmaraarchitecture01.shtml


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Asmara Stakeholders

Cultural heritage proponents

Residents / property owners

Municipality

Local developers

Government of Eritrea

Investors

Eritrean population

Italian population


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Asmara Role of Interpretation

Convinced decision makers of:

historical significance

need to conserve and restore

economic value

Attracted foreign investment

Established management structure

Promoted public appreciation:

local, national, international


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Ningbo
http://www.worldbank.org/ningbo/img17lg.jpg


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Ningbo Stakeholders

Municipality Investors

Cultural heritage organizations Residents / small business owners

Local developers Local tourism industry


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Ningbo Role of Interpretation

Convinced decision makers of:

historical significance need to conserve and restore

economic value

Attracted foreign investment

Established management structure

Promoted public appreciation:

local, national, international


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Bujagali Falls
http://www.pbase.com/siltakorpi/jinja_2004


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Bujagali Falls Stakeholders

Government of Uganda

Investors

Local population concerned about spirits not concerned

Local tourism industry

Non-governmental organizations: national and international


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Bujagali Falls Role of Interpretation

Convinced decision makers of need to:

respect spiritual significance

negotiate with locals

relocate spirits

Highlighted World Bank policy on culturalproperty


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Proposal:

Broaden framework of ICOMOS Ename Charterto address Interpretation:

at all stages of heritage conservation

for a variety of audiences, including decision makers


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Proposal consistent with draft Ename

Charter Preamble

Interpretation is:Integral for conservation

Fundamental to positive outcomes

Related to: Authenticity and integrity

Cultural significance and context

Social responsibility / community development

Conflicting perspectives

Source: Draft Ename Charter Preamble (2004)


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Implications for cultural heritage

interpretation

Strategic use

Timely intervention

Focus on decision makers

Role in economic development

the essential role of interpretation in safeguarding cultural heritage presentation

Documents