Edinburgh Old Town
Photo courtesy of Alison McCandlish
This NewsBlog is issued on International World Heritage Day 2014 as a welcome by the IHBC to the ICOMOS-organised International Day for Monuments and Sites and its 2014 theme: ‘the heritage of commemoration’.
IHBC Director Sean O’Reilly said: ‘It’s not too often the IHBC has time or capacity to celebrate what everyone already knows is important and laudable. But when opportunities such as this arise, it’s right that we should make every effort to raise profile and awareness even further, especially when led by an organisation such as ICOMOS, which has provided the IHBC and many other bodies with their recognised ‘standard’ in conservation training and education.’
‘And with the theme of commemoration this year, which has so much resonance across the heritage and related sectors, we are delighted to be able to do what we can to highlight this special day’.
ICOMOS writes:
Monuments and sites, including those more complex and diversified forms of heritage places such as living landscapes, are tangible carriers of the memory of a part of the human experience. Thus, through their authenticity and integrity, they contribute, in their way, to the commemoration and transmission of values which include history.
The theme provides an opportunity to present those constructions that have been intentionally created with the purpose of commemorating an event, a person, an idea, etc. This choice of theme is partly inspired by the centennial in 2014 of the beginning of the Great War of 1914-1918.
The heritage of commemoration takes a variety of forms: engraved inscriptions, mausoleums of exceptional architecture or works of monumental sculpture, more modest elements reflecting vernacular traditions or dedicated landscapes such as cemeteries or memorial gardens. This heritage also includes elements that were given a commemorative value; for example, ruins or industrial vestiges accompanied by dedication plaques, or public squares whose toponymy commemorates a historical event or individual.
ICOMOS News release on International Day for Monuments and Sites
