Zprávy památkové péče 2022, 82(2):149-162 | DOI: 10.56112/zpp.2022.2.02

UNESCO World Heritage - between uniqueness and representativeness

Martin Horáček

Katedra dějin umění, FF Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

The article reflects on the message of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the idea of the World Heritage List, recalling the key elements of the creation of the List and commenting on some of the controversial aspects acompanying its existence. These include the tension between the exclusivity and representativeness of properties, between their positioning outside and inside contemporary society at the same time, as well as the programmatic emphasis on material authenticity over its immaterial forms. The Convention requires proof of the outstanding universal value of the nominated property. The 1994 Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List seeks to model the List according to set criteria. But how can something "exceptional" be sufficiently "representative" at the same time? There is a concern that the concept of the List encourages unhealthy competition instead of cooperation just as paternalism of global elites instead of a consensual positive relationship with heritage across the communities. International serial nominations, where more countries and more diverse local stakeholders are drawn into cooperation, offer some possibility for a balancing approach. However, such nominations bring with them new challenges. At the same time, Europe, as the continent with the largest number of inscribed sites, shows an alternative approach to heritage, since 2011 associated with the European Heritage Label. This paper will show how the World Heritage and European Heritage labels work with different narratives.

Keywords: World Heritage Convention; Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List; outstanding universal value; international serial nominations; European Heritage Label

Published: June 1, 2022  Show citation