World Heritage Day 2023
April 18th marks the observance of World Heritage Day, also referred to as International Day for Monuments and Sites. The primary objective of this day is to raise awareness of the significance of safeguarding cultural heritage, including historical structures, landmarks, and archaeological locations, and to celebrate the variety of global heritage. The day is intended to promote recognition of the value of preserving cultural heritage and encourage individuals to appreciate the multiplicity of world heritage while actively engaging in its conservation and protection.
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World Heritage Day 2023: Theme
World Heritage Day highlights a different theme each year that centers around a specific aspect of cultural heritage. The 2022 theme was “Heritage and Climate,” while the 2023 theme is “Heritage Changes.” The latter theme provides an opportunity to address issues related to understanding traditional knowledge and knowledge systems in the context of climate action. It also emphasizes the role of cultural heritage in supporting fair protection for vulnerable communities in climate action and responding to the UN Decade of Action.
World Heritage Day 2023: Significance
World Heritage Day is celebrated through a variety of activities, including exhibitions, cultural events, and guided tours of heritage sites. The objective of these activities is to foster appreciation and comprehension of cultural heritage and to draw attention to the hazards that such sites confront, including climate change, natural calamities, and human activities. World Heritage Day is a crucial event that promotes the safeguarding and conservation of cultural heritage worldwide. It serves as a reminder that cultural heritage is not only a thing of the past but also a contemporary and relevant aspect that will influence the future.
World Heritage Day: History
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) proposed the notion of observing World Heritage Day in 1982, and it was subsequently endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1983. The date of April 18th was selected to commemorate the adoption of the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1982.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- ICOMOS Founded: 1965
- ICOMOS President: Teresa Patricio
- ICOMOS headquarters in Paris
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