THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF INTERPRETATION

IN
SAFEGUARDING
CULTURAL HERITAGE

Arlene K. Fleming
Cultural Resource Specialist
May 2005
INTERPRETATION - Characteristics

– Integral for conservation

– Fundamental to positive outcomes
– Related to:
• Authenticity and integrity
• Cultural significance and context
• Social responsibility / community development
– Conflicting perspectives

Source: Draft Ename Charter Preamble (2004)

 INTERPRETATION – Audience

Draft Ename Charter

Visitors to sites
• Passive
• Seek enjoyment and education

Broaden Ename Charter to include:

Decision makers
• Active
• Determine site establishment, protection,
conservation, management
 INTERPRETATION – Sites

Draft Ename Charter

• Established, protected sites

Broaden Ename Charter to include sites:

• Not established or protected

• Endangered or contested
• Occupied by property owners
• Other circumstances
Interpretation of a site or landscape is:

• Based on viewers’ experience, knowledge,

values, objectives

• Influenced by information on heritage value

 Timely, focused, targeted interpretation may be
essential for establishing, safeguarding, restoring,
reconstructing and managing heritage sites.
 Four examples from World Bank-
financed projects

• Mostar Bridge – Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Asmara – Eritrea

• Ningbo - China

• Bujagali Falls – Uganda

Mostar Bridge
 Mostar Bridge - Stakeholders

• Bosniak and Croat residents

• Croat and Serb military

• Cultural heritage organizations

• Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Foreign governments and investors

• International public
Mostar Bridge – Role of Interpretation

Symbolic importance:

• Unity – 1566-1992

• Territorial marker during conflict – 1992-93

• Reconciliation post conflict – 1995 --

• Permanence of heritage
Asmara
 Asmara – Stakeholders

• Cultural heritage proponents

• Residents / property owners

• Municipality

• Local developers

• Government of Eritrea

• Investors

• Eritrean population

• Italian population
Asmara – Role of Interpretation
• Convinced decision makers of:
– historical significance
– need to conserve and restore
– economic value

• Attracted foreign investment

• Established management structure

• Promoted public appreciation:

– local, national, international
Ningbo
 Ningbo – Stakeholders

• Municipality
• Investors
• Cultural heritage organizations
• Residents / small business owners
• Local developers
• Local tourism industry
Ningbo – Role of Interpretation
• Convinced decision makers of:
– historical significance
– need to conserve and restore
– economic value

• Attracted foreign investment

• Established management structure

• Promoted public appreciation:

– local, national, international
Bujagali Falls
 Bujagali Falls – Stakeholders

• Government of Uganda

• Investors

• Local population
– concerned about spirits
– not concerned

• Local tourism industry

• Non-governmental organizations:
– national and international
Bujagali Falls – Role of Interpretation

• Convinced decision makers of need to:

– respect spiritual significance

– negotiate with locals
– relocate spirits

• Highlighted World Bank policy on cultural

property
 Proposal:

Broaden framework of ICOMOS Ename Charter

to address Interpretation:

• at all stages of heritage conservation

• for a variety of audiences, including decision makers

Proposal consistent with draft Ename
Charter Preamble

Interpretation is:
– Integral for conservation
– Fundamental to positive outcomes
– Related to:
• Authenticity and integrity
• Cultural significance and context
• Social responsibility / community development
– Conflicting perspectives

Source: Draft Ename Charter Preamble (2004)

 Implications for cultural heritage
interpretation

• Strategic use

• Timely intervention

• Focus on decision makers

• Role in economic development