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MAY 5th is UNESCO CELEBRATION of AFRICA WORLD HERITAGE DAY.

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

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Due to COVID-19, 90% of World Heritage sites around the globe are closed or partially closed, and many of them are in Africa.

As African World Heritage sites cope with the current situation, they are also looking ahead to the post-Covid time and planning for the short and long-term. The 2020 edition of African World Heritage Day will celebrate the theme “Youth, Entrepreneurship and Heritage Sustainability in Africa” with several special initiatives.

WHAT IS HERITAGE SUSTAINABILITY? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The heritage value of a site, building or object lies in its cultural significance, which is a combination of historical, symbolic, spiritual, aesthetic and social values. To clarify, here are a list of explanations:

• historical value: the historical character and content provide connection with the past and a sense of continuity;
• symbolic value: the symbolic meaning and power of certain places and objects adds to people’s cultural identity;
• spiritual value: the place or object may promote insights in the meaning of religious, sacred and transcendental practices and experiences;
• aesthetic value: the aesthetic quality of the cultural object often is an important element for its enjoyment and may inspire new artistic creativity;
• social value: the place facilitates connection with others and the shared social experience (e.g., “pride of place”) can help promote local values and social cohesion.

Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage.

What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

Proclaimed by the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO (November 2015), African World Heritage Day (5 May) is an opportunity for people around the world, and particularly Africans, to celebrate the Continent’s unique cultural and natural heritage.

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