What is UNESCO World Heritage?
Examples of UNESCO World Heritage Designations
If you often wonder 'What is Culture?' and seek a definition of culture, UNESCO's designations offer a lot of food for thought. People Are Culture presents more than 35 interviews and feature articles that explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the broader context of their surrounding culture, and through the lens of anthropology. These highly readable stories bring to life the places and activities that UNESCO has declared to be of universal human value.
Through worldwide collaboration in education, the arts, sciences, and culture, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to advance world peace and security. Along with partners in the business, intergovernmental, and non-governmental sectors, it has 193 member states and 12 associate members. 53 regional field offices and 199 national commissions help UNESCO, which has its main office at the World Heritage Centre in Paris, France, carry out its global mandate.
Two of UNESCO's best-known initiatives are programs that designate World Heritage Sites and Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The World Heritage Site designation came into being in 1975, after a seven-year period of development by UNESCO members. The original impetus was a call by the U.S. to preserve "the world's superb natural and scenic areas and historic sites for the present and the future of the entire world citizenry".
In 2008, UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance. This designation includes two lists. The longer, Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, comprises cultural "practices and expressions [that] help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance." The shorter, List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, is composed of those cultural elements that concerned communities and countries consider to require urgent measures to keep them alive.
World Heritage Sites
What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? This is a designation for a landmark or region that has legal protection under a global agreement overseen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. UNESCO names places as World Heritage Sites when they are considered to be of significant cultural, historical, scientific, or other value. "Cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of extraordinary importance to humanity" is said to be present at these locations.
A World Heritage Site must be an unusual landmark that is easily recognized geographically and historically and has outstanding cultural or physical importance in order to be chosen. World Heritage Sites could include, for instance, historical or ancient ruin sites, as well as buildings, towns, deserts, forests, islands, lakes, monuments, mountains, or wilderness regions. A World Heritage Site may be a location of outstanding natural beauty or it may represent a significant human achievement that serves as proof of our intellectual past on the planet.
There are 1,154 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 167 countries around the world. The list includes 897 sites designated for cultural reasons, 218 sites of natural significance, and 39 mixed properties. To get a better understanding of the kinds of places that get the UNESCO World Heritage designation and why, check out these interviews below! Each article offers a broad context on a region that is home to UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a personal perspective on the local culture and surrounding cultural landscape.
Explore the Portuguese island of Madeira, a plant lover’s paradise with 3,000 species of flowers and lush national parks. Discover the unique style and techniques of Persian architecture, influenced by religion, mythology, and art. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage at People Are Culture. Ancient mosaics in Ravenna are renowned. Let us give you their backstory and introduce a mosaic artist continuing the tradition. Cultural landscapes feature many dimensions of interconnectedness between people, heritage, and spirituality. Learn more in this interview! Ljubljana architecture reflects the city’s history as a cultural crossroads. Learn its architectural heritage with a Slovenian architect. The Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown offers a delightful excursion and window into the history of coastal Cornwall. Old Quebec history is best understood through its unique architecture which reveals the story of the city’s cultural influences. Monticello Plantation was Thomas Jefferson’s botanical sanctuary. Learn about the charms and history of this UNESCO site in Virginia. The Burren in Ireland has a unique ecology and cultural history that is explored in this interview with conservationist Brendan Dunford. Thingvellir National Park is a beautiful landscape with a history of storytelling. Meet archeologist Margret Hallmundsdottir to learn more! Cyprus history as a cultural crossroads is brought to life by former director of Cyprus Department of Antiquities in this engaging interview. The Megalithic Temples of Malta are mysterious ancient ruins, and happen to be the passion of archaeologist Dr. Reuben Grima.Madeira Island is Plant Lovers Paradise
Persian Architecture’s Majestic Traditions Revealed
Mosaics in Ravenna Spark Inspiration and Delight
Cultural Landscapes the Focus of Leanna Wigboldus’ World Heritage Career
Ljubljana Architecture Reveals City’s Cultural Influences
Shipwreck Treasure Museum Reveals History of Cornwall’s Coast
Old Quebec Features Unique Architecture and Cultural Influences
Monticello Plantation Garden Preserves Jefferson’s Retreat
The Burren in Ireland Conserving A Unique Cultural Landscape
Thingvellir National Park, the Heart and Soul of Iceland
Cyprus History Revealed by Renowned Archaeologist’s Insights
Megalithic Temples of Malta Hold Eternal Mysteries
Intangible Cultural Heritage
A practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill is considered by UNESCO to be a part of a place's cultural legacy. This is known as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Cultural property includes structures, landmarks, monuments, and objects. Non-material intellectual richness including folklore, customs, beliefs, traditions, knowledge, and language make up the intangible legacy. Members of UNESCO take into account intangible cultural heritage in relation to tangible World Heritage, with an emphasis on intangible facets of culture. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was drafted in 2003 for its protection and promotion after UNESCO conducted a survey of States and NGOs in 2001 to try to reach a consensus on a definition.
We share interviews and stories about Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) presented in three sections:
"The Big Picture", which looks at ICH in a broad sense through interviews with global thought leaders;
Beliefs & Traditions, which explores the arts, attitudes, perspectives, practices, and values of culture creators and stewards from a specific culture;
Folklore, Knowledge & Language, which focuses on the transmission of culture on a daily basis and historically, as well as efforts to preserve indigenous identity and wisdom.
The Big Picture
Beliefs & Traditions
New Delhi Photographer and Film Maker Benoy Behl shares his adventures across India in search of history and meaning behind art in India. Iconographer Father Kallinkos of Cyprus, himself an icon, reveals his technique & inspiration in this interview held shortly before his death. Bunad, or Norwegian folk costumes, are more than handcrafted clothes. Learn about the cultural significance of Norway’s traditional dress! The Puerto Rican santos tradition plays a role in religious worship, family life, community celebrations, and national identity. Click to learn more! Meet Amitava Bhattacharya, founder of Banglanatak.com, which empowers sustainable economies of rural communities via traditional arts and crafts. Italy’s Po River Delta has three must-see cultural attractions, which are Comacchio, Pomposa Abbey and the Po Delta Biosphere Reserve. Tourism Recovery – Industry Leaders Share Strategies For Coping And Building Back Better after COVID-19 has finally passed. Sicilian food is unique and traditional. A Trapani chef reveals the historic cultural influences and abundant local eco system that inspire it. If you love nature, stunning scenery and immersing yourself in a historic cultural landscape, then levada walks in Madeira are an experience you must have! Examples of Sustainable Tourism from world tourism leaders who give expert advice on the best practices to solve over-tourism. Armenian lavash, a traditional thin bread that is an essential part of Armenian cuisine, is celebrated in this folk song. Enjoy! Choral music plays a significant role in Estonian culture and identity. Hear from choral conductor and manager Kaie Tanner about her passion. Tour through the history and contemporary practice of Spain’s exuberant flamenco, recognized by UNESCO as an item of intangible cultural heritage. Folk art painter Oscar Peren is a leading artist at the “Comalapa School” in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala and was interviewed by PAC. The textiles of Guatemala are for sale at Nim Po’t, home of the world’s largest retail Mayan textile collection. Hear from the manager, Marco! Find out about the heritage and ancient practices of remote Kihnu Island, Estonia, we talk with Maria Michelson about Kihnu Island’s cultural traditions. Lefkara lace making is an endangered 15th century tradition in Cyprus. It’s intertwined with people’s identities, economics and social life.Documenting Indian Art is Calling for Benoy K. Behl
The Purpose of An Iconographer Explained by Renowned Icon Painter
Explore Norway’s Bunad Tradition of Norwegian Folk Costumes
Puerto Rican Santos Tradition as National Identity
Achieving Sustainable Development with Art and Culture in West Bengal
Po River Delta: Locals Share History and Traditions
Tourism Recovery | Industry Leaders Share Strategies For Coping And Building Back Better
Sicilian Food, The Passion of Sicilian Chef Roberto Carpitella
Levada Walks in Madeira Will Wow Culture Lovers
Examples of Sustainable Tourism Recommendations from Experts Around World
Armenian Lavash Bread Celebrated in Traditional Folk Song
Choral Music of Estonia is a Force for Freedom and Unity
Flamenco: Madrid’s Amor de Dios Studio
Acclaimed Guatemala Folk Art Painter Reveals Dramatic Life
Textiles of Guatemala Offer Meaning and Symbolism of Traditions
Maria Michelson on the Cultural Traditions of Kihnu Island, Estonia
Lefkara Lace of Cyprus and the Pattern of Tradition