Page 7 - CoESPU Magazine 2017-3

CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION

We often hear about the
importance of “cultural
heritage protection”. But what
is the real meaning of
“cultural heritage”?
First of all, let’s have a look at
the meaning of the words.
“Heritage” is a property,
something that is inherited,
passed down from previous
generations. In the case of
“cultural heritage,” the
heritage doesn’t consist of money or property, but of culture, values and traditions. “Cultural
heritage” implies a shared bond, our belonging to a community. It represents our history and our
identity: our bond to the past, to our present, and our future.
In general terms, cultural heritage often brings to mind artifacts such as paintings, drawings, prints,
mosaics, sculptures, historical monuments and buildings, as well as archaeological sites. But the
concept of cultural heritage is even wider than that, and has gradually grown up to include all
evidence of human creativity and expression such as photographs, documents, books, manuscripts,
musical, technical (etc.) instruments, either as individual objects or as collections. At the same time,
towns, underwater heritage, and the natural environment are also considered part of cultural

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