Culture and heritage are terms integrated into the fabric of society. They are used by local governments, city councils, businesses, and organizations, all of which are focused on making improvements to their localities. Many people are very much invested in their culture and traditions and are passionate about maintaining and celebrating them as much as possible. This can be evidenced through cooking, clothing, festivals, music, and many other avenues. People are often very proud of their culture and heritage and keen to engage with their traditions.

Our traditions through cultural heritage are such foundational elements of society. They feature in the flavors we choose, the colors we wear, the language we speak, and even the accent we use! So much of our identity is bound with our cultural heritage. Yet, it is not a fixed thing. As we grow, we cook with new flavors, listen to new music, or walk new paths. And we integrate these experiences into our lives, embracing variations to our habits and traditions. In this way, culture is always evolving and fluctuating throughout time—a dynamic process making the traditions all the more beautiful.

As such, we demonstrate the vitality and diversity of cultural heritage and the crucial role it has in our lives. It creates connection and community, it offers us joy and comfort, and it drives purpose and motivation. The influences from which we draw inspiration, often can lead us to an exploration of culture. This integration and intertwining of shared interests and influence cultivate the richness and diversity of culture.

Yet, the statistics for cultural organizations show overwhelmingly that visitors are largely represented by a narrow cohort of society and struggle to appeal to diverse or broader audiences. Funding for cultural learning in schools is low and not a high priority, if it exists at all. The presence of statues, plaques, parks, religious buildings, or architectural features can tend to blend into the general landscape of our communities, holding a somewhat vague presence in society. That is, with the exception of tourist hotspots where cultural heritage often takes on a celebrity-like status and becomes more for the traveler than the local. The sacred value of ancient traditions is often blurred with the commercial value of the associated fridge magnet.

We also see groups in society fiercely guarding their culture, determined to keep it alive, but only for themselves. This reluctance to share prevents cultural growth and stifles the natural evolution of traditions. The fear of losing cultural identity drives resistance to change, starving it of opportunities to reach new audiences and flourish. Pride in cultural influence can sometimes be accompanied by resentment or exclusion.

At the same time, academics who spend countless hours researching and analyzing information present their findings in journals or books unavailable or inaccessible to the general public. This can be due to the language and/or format used, as well as potential financial, geographical, or awareness barriers—to name a few. In fact, studies have been done that demonstrate the multitude of issues with accessibility and that these barriers contribute significantly to the public's knowledge gap.

This disconnect has significant repercussions in society, as very often, they can lead to turbulent political issues and even breakdown in society. The need for balance and understanding in cultural heritage is vital for healthy political discourse and positive citizenry. As such, it is important to place emphasis on the value of public education and accessibility to informative venues that provide connection to cultural heritage in a meaningful and engaging way.

While there have been many attempts to address this knowledge gap and the importance of a greater value being placed on culture and heritage education, no significant changes have been made at a broad enough level to ensure any kind of great change. Cultural education often remains as a byproduct or afterthought in mainstream school curriculum delivery. Even if the intention is there to include it, the reality is that the force of pressure from other subjects drives culture and the arts to the margins. Additionally, the cultural sector in general frequently depends on funding that falls far short of its needs. The result is a continuing knowledge gap, less audience diversity, and exhibits that do not meet the requirements of the public appetite.

Culture and heritage are a core part of our identity and existence and are at the forefront of how our societies communicate and are politically shaped. We are very much emotionally bound to issues of our identity and history, so it is important there are ways for knowledge and truth to permeate.

Yet, if they continue to be treated as tourist traps or whimsical events, or trapped in ivory towers, it is very difficult to facilitate positive citizenry.

In an increasingly digitized world, the value of human connection is as vital as ever. Celebrating diversity and culture through stories, food, songs, and styles allows us to embrace our future with more peace, empathy, and understanding.

References

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