The Essential Role of Interpretation in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage Presentation

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

1/22

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF INTERPRETATION

INSAFEGUARDING

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Arlene K. FlemingCultural Resource Specialist

May 2005


2/22

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)


3/22

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


4/22

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


5/22

Interpretation of a site or landscape is:

Based on viewers experience, knowledge,

values, objectives

Influenced by information on heritage value


6/22

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

reconstructing and managing heritage sites.


7/22

Four examples from World Bank-

financed projects

Mostar Bridge Bosnia and Herzegovina

Asmara Eritrea

Ningbo - China

Bujagali Falls Uganda


8/22

Mostar Bridge


9/22

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


10/22

Mostar Bridge Role of Interpretation

Symbolic importance:

Unity 1566-1992

Territorial marker during conflict 1992-93

Reconciliation post conflict 1995 --

Permanence of heritage


11/22

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


12/22

Asmara Stakeholders

Cultural heritage proponents

Residents / property owners

Municipality

Local developers

Government of Eritrea

Investors

Eritrean population

Italian population


13/22

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


14/22

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


15/22

Ningbo Stakeholders

Municipality Investors

Cultural heritage organizations Residents / small business owners

Local developers Local tourism industry


16/22

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


17/22

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


18/22

Bujagali Falls Stakeholders

Government of Uganda

Investors

Local population concerned about spirits not concerned

Local tourism industry

Non-governmental organizations: national and international


19/22

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


20/22

Proposal:

Broaden framework of ICOMOS Ename Charterto address Interpretation:

at all stages of heritage conservation

for a variety of audiences, including decision makers


21/22

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)


22/22

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

Transcript of The Essential Role of Interpretation in Safeguarding Cultural Heritage Presentation