| 1. What is World Heritage?
The word patrimony in Spanish comes from the Latin patrimonium: “inheritance, paternal property”. This word is composed of pater (father) and -monium, a suffix that comes from the Latin verb “monere”, which indicates “condition, state, action”. Together they can be translated as "what resembles the father". The expression emphasizes the past and the respect due to it. Thus, most Romance languages use the word "inheritance". In Spanish and Italian, patrimonio; and in French, patrimoine.
In English, on the other hand, the word heritage is used: heritage is understood as what is received, safeguarded and transmitted. It insists on the idea of the future and on the responsibility of each generation.
World Heritage is the pillar on which humanity builds its memory and develops its multiple identities. The preservation and enhancement of World Heritage is a vital need for all peoples. And we should all be aware of this need, as World Heritage has Outstanding Universal Value.
In recent centuries, humanity has lost great examples of its world heritage for various reasons: armed conflict, terrorism, global warming, lack of resources and care, industrialization, pollution, ignorance, indifference... Today, we continue to witness these irreparable losses.
The fate of World Heritage will depend to a large extent on the commitment of younger generations and current policies and decisions.
| 2. Cultural Heritage
We understand by Cultural Heritage properties that have an Outstanding Universal Value. For example, monuments that can be: buildings; archaeological sites; caves with cave paintings; groups like cities or neighborhoods; or places that can be works made exclusively by man or by man and nature, such as urban or rural landscapes.
In 2021, UNESCO includes 869 cultural properties on the World Heritage list. The list expands every two years with new goods. Cultural heritage has an Outstanding Universal Value that goes beyond borders. Therefore, we must preserve it for future generations. Its degradation or disappearance would be an impoverishment of the heritage of all peoples in the world.
Let's see some examples of the Planet's Cultural Heritage:
- The Escorial monastery, 45 km from the Spanish capital, Madrid, has been a cultural heritage site for humanity since 1984. It has also been considered, since the end of the 16th century, the Eighth Wonder of the World due to its size and functional complexity and its enormous value symbolic.
- The historic city of Mexico and Xochimilco. The ancient Aztec city is now one of the largest and most populous capitals in the world, with an impressive cathedral.
- Brasília, the Capital of Brazil, is the only city built in the 20th century to receive the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
- The Great Wall of China is the greatest work of military engineering of all time. Its great architectural value is comparable to its historical and strategic importance.
- The Taj Mahal, in the district of Agra (India), is a grandiose white marble mausoleum and a gem of Muslim art in India.
- Venice and its Lagoon, in Italy, is a lake town with 118 islets. Venice is a masterpiece of humanity's architecture.
These 6 examples are heritage of all humanity. In other words, although the 6 properties are in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, China, India and Italy, they are the cultural heritage of all peoples in the world. Therefore, their conservation and care are of vital importance to humanity.
| 1. What is The World Heritage?
The word patrimony in Spanish comes from the Latin patrimonium: “inheritance, paternal property”. This word is composed of pater (father) and -monium, a suffix that comes from the Latin verb “monere”, which indicates “condition, state, action”. Together they can be translated as "what resembles the father". The expression emphasizes the past and the respect due to it. Thus, most Romance languages use the word "inheritance". In Spanish and Italian, patrimonio; and in French, patrimoine.
In English, on the other hand, the word heritage is used: heritage is understood as what is received, safeguarded and transmitted. It insists on the idea of the future and on the responsibility of each generation.
The World Heritage is the pillar on which humanity builds its memory and develops its multiple identities. The preservation and enhancement of World Heritage is a vital need for all peoples. And we should all be aware of this need, as World Heritage has Outstanding Universal Value.
In recent centuries, humanity has lost great examples of its world heritage for various reasons: armed conflict, terrorism, global warming, lack of resources and care, industrialization, pollution, ignorance, indifference... Today, we continue to witness these irreparable losses.
The fate of World Heritage will depend to a large extent on the commitment of younger generations and current policies and decisions.
| 2. Cultural Heritage
We understand by Cultural Heritage properties that have an Outstanding Universal Value. For example, monuments that can be: buildings; archaeological sites; caves with cave paintings; groups like cities or neighborhoods; or places that can be works made exclusively by man or by man and nature, such as urban or rural landscapes.
In 2021, UNESCO includes 869 cultural properties on the World Heritage list. The list expands every two years with new goods. Cultural heritage has an Outstanding Universal Value that goes beyond borders. Therefore, we must preserve it for future generations. Its degradation or disappearance would be an impoverishment of the heritage of all peoples in the world.
Let's see some examples of the Planet's Cultural Heritage:
- The Escorial monastery, 45 km from the Spanish capital, Madrid, has been a cultural heritage site for humanity since 1984. It has also been considered, since the end of the 16th century, the Eighth Wonder of the World due to its size and functional complexity and its enormous value symbolic.
- The historic city of Mexico and Xochimilco. The ancient Aztec city is now one of the largest and most populous capitals in the world, with an impressive cathedral.
- Brasília, the Capital of Brazil, is the only city built in the 20th century to receive the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.
- The Great Wall of China is the greatest work of military engineering of all time. Its great architectural value is comparable to its historical and strategic importance.
- The Taj Mahal, in the district of Agra (India), is a grandiose white marble mausoleum and a gem of Muslim art in India.
- Venice and its Lagoon, in Italy, is a lake town with 118 islets. Venice is a masterpiece of humanity's architecture.
These 6 examples are heritage of all humanity. In other words, although the 6 properties are in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, China, India and Italy, they are the cultural heritage of all peoples in the world. Therefore, its conservation and care are of vital importance for humanity.
| 3. Natural Heritage:
Natural Heritage is understood as representative and exceptional sites, such as certain physical and biological formations (forests, glaciers, islands); the habitat of endangered animal and plant species (reefs, swamps...); and sites or natural areas strictly delimited as national parks.
In 2021, UNESCO includes 213 natural properties on the World Heritage list. The list expands every two years with new assets. Natural heritage has an Outstanding Universal Value that goes beyond borders. Therefore, we must preserve them for future generations. Its degradation or disappearance would be an impoverishment of the heritage of all peoples in the world.
Let's look at some examples of the Planet's Natural Heritage:
- Sian Ka'an, on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico) is a biosphere reserve that includes tropical forests, mangroves, swamps and a vast marine area crossed by a barrier reef. More than 300 different species of birds and a large number of unique terrestrial vertebrates live here.
- Los Katios National Park, located in northwestern Colombia, has exceptional biological diversity and is home to several species of endangered animals, in addition to numerous endemic plants.
- The main beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe. This transnational natural heritage, shared by 12 European countries, is composed of more than fifty forests, mainly beech. These forests are a sampling of the former temperate old-growth forests that once occupied much of the European continent.
- The Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific, more than a thousand kilometers from Ecuador, are a group of nineteen islands of volcanic origin whose surroundings of the marine reserve are a living museum and a laboratory of evolution. The evolving geological and geomorphological processes that help to understand the mysterious origins of these islands can still be studied.
These 4 examples are heritage of all humanity. In other words, although the 4 properties are in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and in 12 European countries, they are Natural Heritage for all peoples in the world. Therefore, its conservation and care are of vital importance for humanity.
| 4. Mixed Heritage:
Sometimes it is not easy to distinguish between a cultural and a natural good because they have, at the same time, significant natural and cultural value. That's why we talk about mixed heritage.
In 2021, UNESCO includes 39 mixed properties on The World Heritage list. The list expands every two years with new assets. Mixed heritage has an Outstanding Universal Value that goes beyond borders. Therefore, we must preserve them for future generations. Its degradation or disappearance would be an impoverishment of the heritage of all peoples in the world.
Let's look at some examples of mixed goods:
- Pyrenees, Monte Perdido, on both sides of the border between France and Spain. It is an extraordinary mountainous landscape whose center is the limestone massif of Monte Perdido, with a height of 3,352 meters. This landscape, made up of villages, farms, fields, high pastures and mountain roads, is an invaluable testimony to the past of European society.
- The ancient Mayan city and the protected rainforests of Calakmul, Campeche. Located in the central and southern sector of the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico, the site includes the remains of the important Mayan city of Calakmul, located deep in the tropical jungle of the Mexican lowlands. Calakmul is also home to an important Mesoamerican biodiversity sanctuary.
- The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru. Its monuments are integrated in a mountainous landscape of spectacular beauty and are a unique example of a long harmonious relationship between human culture and nature.
- Tikal National Park in Guatemala. Located in the heart of the jungle, Tikal is one of the most important sites in the Mayan civilization. It was inhabited from the 6th century to the 10th century. Its ceremonial center includes temples, superb palaces and public squares that were accessed by ramps.
These 4 examples are heritage of all humanity. In other words, although the 4 properties are in Spain, France, Mexico, Peru and Guatemala, they are a Mixed Heritage of all peoples in the world. Therefore, its conservation and care are of vital importance for humanity.
| 5. The World Heritage in Danger
The preservation and enhancement of The World Heritage is a vital need for all peoples. And we should all be aware of this need, as The World Heritage has Outstanding Universal Value.
In recent centuries, humanity has lost great examples of its World Heritage for various reasons: armed conflicts, terrorism, global warming, lack of resources and care, industrialization, pollution, ignorance, indifference...
UNESCO works so that people know and take care of the heritage of humanity. To help publicize and preserve the World Heritage, there is a list of the “wonders of the world”. Currently, there are 1,121 properties on the list, of which 869 are cultural properties; 213 natural; 39 mixed, that is, they have significant natural and cultural value; and another 36 transnationals, that is, cultural, natural or mixed assets found in more than one State.
The World Heritage Committee publishes, whenever circumstances require, the "List of World Heritage in Danger". Only cultural and natural heritage assets that are threatened by serious and precise dangers, such as the threat of disappearance due to accelerated deterioration, or large public or private works projects, rapid urban and tourist development, destruction, abandonment, may appear on this list. , armed conflict, catastrophes and cataclysms, fires, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, changes in water levels, floods and tsunamis.
Of the 1,121 properties, 53 are on the World Heritage in Danger list. 36 are cultural properties and 17 are natural.
The region in the world with the highest number of assets threatened with extinction is the Arab States, which hold 40% of the total, specifically 21 cultural assets. Some examples are the Old City of Damascus, inscribed on the World Heritage in Danger list since 2013. The Syrian Arab Republic has 6 cultural properties and all of them are in danger. The same happens with Libya. The 5 World Heritage cultural properties it owns are in danger. We highlight the archaeological site of Cyrene, one of the main cities in the Greek world, in danger since 2016.
After the Arab States comes Africa, with 30% of all assets in danger, including 4 cultural and 12 natural. We highlight the Okapis Fauna Reserve, where primate species, endangered birds and 5,000 okapis, a mammal of the same family as the giraffe, live. This reserve, in danger since 1997, is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose 5 natural assets are in danger.
Then come Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, with 11% of the world's assets at risk each.
In Asia and the Pacific there are 4 cultural and 2 natural properties. Examples of these assets would be the cultural landscape and archaeological remains of Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley, in danger since 2003, and the Natural Heritage of Sumatra, Indonesia's rainforests, in danger since 2011.
Latin America and the Caribbean also have 4 cultural and 2 natural properties on the list of World Heritage in Danger. We highlight the city of Potosí, Bolivia, in danger since 2014, and the Plátano River Biosphere Reserve, in Honduras, one of the few remnants of tropical rainforest in Central America, on the list of World Heritage in danger since 2011.
Finally, Europe and North America have 3 cultural and 1 natural assets on this list, specifically 8% of the total of all assets at risk. Examples would be the Historic Center of Vienna, Austria, in danger since 2017 and the Everglades National Park, in the United States, on the list since 2010.
Inscription on the List of The World Heritage in Danger is not a sanction, as it often serves to attract international attention and obtain effective assistance for specific conservation needs.
If a site loses the characteristics for which it was inscribed on the World Heritage List, the Committee may decide to remove it from either the List of World Heritage in Danger or the List of World Heritage. So far, two properties have been excluded: the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman, in 2007; and the cultural landscape of the Elbe Valley in Dresden, Germany, deleted in 2009.
Together we must conserve those goods that have Outstanding Universal Value and are an intrinsic part of world civilization.
| 6. Intangible Cultural Heritage
For most human groups, the source of identity is found neither in cities, nor in monuments, nor in natural parks. It is found in what UNESCO defined as "Intangible Cultural Heritage (PCI)": a set of traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and transmitted to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social uses, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe, and knowledge and techniques related to traditional crafts.
The PCI is at great risk of disappearing due to a strong threat: the rise of globalization. For this reason, UNESCO has recently developed several initiatives to publicize and preserve the PCI of all humanity.
The PCI is the living heritage of humanity and is essential to encourage dialogue between cultures and promote respect for other forms of life.
UNESCO currently recognizes a total of 584 PCI elements corresponding to 131 countries. Some of these elements belong to several countries at the same time, which shows that the PCI extends over different territories and is a living example of the wealth of humanity across the planet.
The 584 elements recognized by 2021 are classified into three different lists:
1. Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
There are currently 492 items corresponding to 128 countries. One of the last items on the list is "The Horses of Wine", an equestrian festival that takes place every year in Spain, in the town of Caravaca de la Cruz. Other examples are flamenco, capoeira or castells.
2. List of Intangible Cultural Heritage that requires urgent safeguard measures.
Safeguarding is understood as measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the PCI, including the identification, documentation, investigation, protection, enhancement, transmission and revitalization of this heritage in its different aspects. Today, there are 67 items on the list corresponding to 35 countries. One of the last items on the list is the hand weaving of Upper Egypt, called sa'eed. Sa'eed hand weaving is an identity factor with its own language. Currently, this ancient practice is in danger mainly due to its low profitability. Other examples are: the shadow theater of the Syrian Arab Republic; Mongolian Calligraphy; or the Indonesian Saman dance.
3. Record of good safeguard practices.
The Good Practices Register is made up of programs, projects and activities. In 2020, there are 25 items corresponding to 22 countries. One of the last practices on the list is the strategy of safeguarding traditional crafts for building peace in Colombia. This initiative aims to reduce the decline of traditional crafts with a system of intergenerational transmission of theoretical and technical knowledge from teachers to learners, based on a non-formal method of learning by doing. Other examples are: The yola da Martinique, a model for safeguarding cultural heritage: from construction to the art of sailing; or “Land of Legends,” a program to promote and revitalize the art of storytelling in the Kronoberg region of Sweden.
