Themes of the Forum

Values and Meanings

The Arab world has suffered a wave of fundamental changes that occurred over the past 100 years, resulting in the acceleration of socio-cultural change and some changes in cultural values, meanings and social norms. Therefore, the essence of conserving cultural heritage and concepts related to the notion of authenticity in the Arab and Islamic contexts is essential to be addressed. This is in order to advocate for protecting the significance and meanings of Cultural Heritage, and embedded tangible and intangible attributes within the Arab region.
  • What is the essence of cultural heritage conservation from the region’s perspective?
  • What are the components or attributes that define authenticity in a regional context?
  • What are the challenges that the notion of authenticity poses to heritage conservation practice in the region?
  • How does the region interact with the growing definition of “cultural heritage”, and how this can be taken forward in a global context?

Socio-Cultural Dimensions

Authenticity, conservation and cultural diversity (local to global dimensions)

Like other parts of the world, the creation of a hybrid cultural forms [1]has accelerated the need for cultural heritage policies to adopt new, sustainable approaches for integrating heritage practices with sustainable and urban development. These practices should be based on the needs of local communities and promote the exchange of diverse viewpoints and perceptions on conservation and post-disaster recovery projects. This will promote a deeper understanding of the meaning(s) of cultural heritage conservation on local, regional and global levels.

Hybrid cultures are mergers that combine past and present, local and trans local, space and place and technoscape. Hybridity is expressed in various cultural contexts and in the in-between spaces of arts, media, science and technology. (https://isea2011.sabanciuniv.edu)

  • How can cultural diplomacy play a role in cultural dialogue and understanding the essence of cultural heritage and its conservation within regional and global contexts?
  • How can understanding of the “other” help in developing effective approaches in the field?
  • How can Arab institutions work in a global context?

Case Specificity

The implementation of the notion of authenticity and its attributes differ in every case. It is vital to explore authenticity during the design, implementation, interpretation and presentation of cultural heritage conservation projects as well as museum activities. Discussions in this regard will explore how authenticity is addressed at different sites, cities and museums’ collections in the Arab region and the world. This session will address the following questions through case studies:
  • How to define “cultural heritage” and values to keep in conservation or recovery projects?
  • What lessons have been learned from past experiences?
  • How decision-making processes led or coordinated by conservation professionals influenced successful implementation of cultural projects?
  • What is the role of museums in conveying the concept of authenticity to society and to visitors in general?
  • Is it the age of “culture of the replica”? What is the difference between the presentation and interpretation of the original and the copy?
  • What is the role of virtual museums as information sources for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage?
  • What are the tangible and intangible aspects and features of authenticity that must be preserved in the context of local cultures and beliefs?
  • What is the role and impact of education activities of the youth in raising awareness, preserving cultural heritage, and what are the best methods for achieving this?
  • What are the best methods for presenting and interpreting museum collections out of their original location or context? How does this affect authenticity?