Preserving Cultural Heritage: documenting global sites of culture and history
Keeping historic sites and traditional forms of art, music, and dance alive means that new and future generations can learn about and take pride in what makes communities unique and reflect on how culture naturally evolves and changes over time. Narrative has a significant role to play in efforts to preserve and maintain cultural heritage around the world. Storytelling can ensure the vitality and continuity of various cultures by providing insights into history, bridging generations, and highlighting the everyday experiences through which culture is transmitted. By fostering self-identity, strengthening community ties, and nurturing cultural pride, storytelling directly supports cultural preservation.
From 2021-2024, the U.S. Department of State's Cultural Heritage Center spearheaded a large-scale initiative to surface stories of cultural preservation in locations around the world. Using a mix of community storytelling workshops, documentary filmmaking, and virtual tour production, the Community Heritage Exchange Initiative has celebrated the lived experiences of people engaged with the protection of archaeological sites and historic buildings, as well as those who are dedicated to preserving intangible heritage including oral traditions; performing arts; rituals and festive events; practices related to nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship. These works are being shared widely, to bring visibility to local knowledge and paint a unique picture of the lives and passions of people living in cultural contexts around the world. Visit examples of stories on Google Arts and Culture:
Supe Valley (Peru)
Umm el-Jimal (Jordan)
Burana Tower (Kyrgyzstan)
Ngerkeklau (Palau)
