The Great Wall is a World Heritage Site. It is an immovable cultural heritage. The construction of the Great Wall took 220 years and resulted in the most significant defensive structure ever built at the time. The entire length of the Great Wall of China is more than 20,000 kilometres; Built at various points in time throughout history, the walls, forts, mountain passes, and beacons that were part of the extensive defence system of the property have been preserved up to the present day. The Great Wall can be affected by climate change and led to the Great Wall, thus weathering and erosion of the building materials.
Chinese shadow puppetry, formerly known as "shadow puppetry" or "lantern play", is a folk drama in which silhouettes of people made of animal skins or cardboard are illuminated by light sources such as candles or burning alcohol to perform stories. It involves a number of steps such as selecting the skin, making the skin, drawing, over-drafting, engraving, applying colour, ironing and embellishing. Shadow puppetry is used for entertainment, educational, historical and religious purposes and is associated with the promotion of positive moral values. For its contribution to the development of the world's performing arts, shadow puppetry was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2011.
Pixar’s Shrek (2001) is the most important piece of digital heritage from the early 2000s. One that defined the childhood of the late 90’s kids and the early to mid-2000s kids and includes jokes for both children and their parents, meaning its impact on generations is even wider. The movie did something revolutionary in that its dubbing voice actors for each country were actual recognizable actors from that country. Eugenio Derbez, the voice actor for Donkey in Mexican Spanish suggested they change the scripted jokes to match the country of origin as well. While Spanish is a language that impacts multiple countries, the accents, comedy, and colloquial references in Shrek is different in Mexican Spanish, Spain Spanish, and Colombian Spanish, for example. Shrek is emblematic of the Gen-Z fight for inclusivity and diversity. Pixar continued this practice with “Inside Out,” where the main character refuses to eat broccoli in the American version. However, this was changed for Japan, as kids there find green peppers more disgusting than broccoli, thus following in Shrek’s steps to better relate to its audiences. In 2020, the Library of Congress in the US elected the film to be inducted into its National Film Registry due to it being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” [7]. Their current preservation tactics include the studio’s submission of the film in 35mm format, along with any appropriate copyright. The Audio- Visual Conservation Centre itself is “space controlled to stay cool and dry” to preserve its digital copies of the film.
Dreamworks' Shrek (2001) is the most important piece of digital heritage from the early 2000s. One that defined the childhood of the late 90’s kids and the early to mid-2000s kids and includes jokes for both children and their parents, meaning its impact on generations is even wider. The movie did something revolutionary in that its dubbing voice actors for each country were actual recognizable actors from that country. Eugenio Derbez, the voice actor for Donkey in Mexican Spanish suggested they change the scripted jokes to match the country of origin as well. While Spanish is a language that impacts multiple countries, the accents, comedy, and colloquial references in Shrek is different in Mexican Spanish, Spain Spanish, and Colombian Spanish, for example. Shrek is emblematic of the Gen-Z fight for inclusivity and diversity. Pixar continued this practice with “Inside Out,” where the main character refuses to eat broccoli in the American version. However, this was changed for Japan, as kids there find green peppers more disgusting than broccoli, thus following in Shrek’s steps to better relate to its audiences. In 2020, the Library of Congress in the US elected the film to be inducted into its National Film Registry due to it being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” [7]. Their current preservation tactics include the studio’s submission of the film in 35mm format, along with any appropriate copyright. The Audio- Visual Conservation Centre itself is “space controlled to stay cool and dry” to preserve its digital copies of the film.
The Forbidden City (Chinese: 紫禁城; pinyin: Zǐjìnchéng) is a palace complex in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, at the center of the Imperial City of Beijing. It is surrounded by numerous opulent imperial gardens and temples including the 22 ha (54-acre) Zhongshan Park, the sacrificial Imperial Ancestral Temple, the 69 ha (171-acre) Beihai Park, and the 23 ha (57-acre) Jingshan Park.[2] It is officially administered by the Palace Museum. (Wiki, 2023) The Forbidden City was constructed from 1406 to 1420, and was the former Chinese imperial palace and winter residence of the Emperor of China from the Ming dynasty (since the Yongle Emperor) to the end of the Qing dynasty, between 1420 and 1924. The Forbidden City served as the home of Chinese emperors and their households and was the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for over 500 years. Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been under the charge of the Palace Museum, whose extensive collection of artwork and artifacts were built upon the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.[3] (Wiki, 2023) The complex consists of 980 buildings,[4] encompassing 9,999 rooms and covering 720,000 m2 (72 ha)/178 acres.[5][6] The palace exemplifies the opulence of the residences of the Chinese emperor and the traditional Chinese palatial architecture,[3] and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. It is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Since 2012, the Forbidden City has seen an average of 14 million visitors annually, and received more than 19 million visitors in 2019.[7] In 2018, the Forbidden City's market value was estimated at 70 billion USD, making it both the world's most valuable palace and the most valuable piece of real estate anywhere in the world.[8] (Wiki, 2023) The Forbidden City in Beijing is one of the largest and most well-preserved wooden structures in the world. It was listed as the first batch of national key cultural relics in 1961. (Wiki, 2023)
These terraces were planted with coffee in Vietnam, several hours outside of mountainous Da Lat. Uploaded from: http://flickr.com/photo/14279744@N03/2212677624
Vietnamese coffee brewing in preparation of iced coffee.
Famous Vietnamese Iced Coffee, with condensed milk.
Venice and its Lagoon is a cultural site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. The property consists of a group of 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, located in northeastern Italy. The city of Venice, with its iconic canals, historic architecture, and cultural traditions, has been an important center of trade and culture since the Middle Ages. The lagoon itself, which stretches over 50,000 hectares, includes a range of natural habitats, including salt marshes, shallow waters, and sandbanks, which provide important ecological functions and support a rich biodiversity. Venice and its Lagoon is recognized as an outstanding example of the complex interaction between human societies and their natural environment. The city's architecture, art, and cultural heritage reflect the influence of a range of cultures, including Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance, and demonstrate the importance of Venice as a center of trade and cultural exchange. At the same time, the lagoon's natural ecosystems provide important resources for local communities and support a range of species, many of which are endangered or rare. Together, the city and its lagoon represent a unique cultural and natural heritage that continues to inspire and captivate visitors from around the world.
Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur comprise some of the most iconic and impressive architectural achievements of ancient Egypt. Located just outside of modern-day Cairo, these pyramid complexes served as the final resting places for some of the most powerful pharaohs of the Old Kingdom period, dating back to over 4,500 years ago. The most famous of these pyramids is the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In addition to the pyramids, this World Heritage site also includes the Great Sphinx, the mortuary temples of various pharaohs, and other burial complexes. The architecture and construction techniques used to build these structures, including the precise alignment to astronomical features, continue to amaze and inspire visitors and scholars alike. This site is a testament to the incredible skill and ingenuity of ancient Egyptian civilization, and its enduring legacy as one of the most advanced societies of the ancient world.
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the former Abbey of Saint-Rémi, and the Palace of Tau in Reims, France, collectively represent an outstanding example of Gothic architecture and art. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is known for its stunning stained glass windows and sculpture, while the former Abbey of Saint-Rémi is a testament to Romanesque architecture. The Palace of Tau, which served as the residence of the archbishops of Reims, is a remarkable example of medieval secular architecture. These buildings played a significant role in the religious and political history of France, including the coronation of most of the kings of France. However, climate change poses a potential threat to these historic structures. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rain, can cause significant damage to the buildings' delicate structures and materials. Rising sea levels and flooding also pose a threat to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, which is located near the Seine River. The potential impacts of climate change underscore the need for careful management and conservation of these important cultural heritage sites.
Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur is a site that contains the most iconic and recognizable monuments of ancient Egyptian civilization. The pyramids and other funerary complexes located here, including the Great Sphinx of Giza, have stood for thousands of years and are a testament to the remarkable engineering skills and artistic achievements of the ancient Egyptians. However, climate change poses a potential threat to the preservation of these ancient wonders. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events, such as sandstorms and flooding, can cause erosion and damage to the structures. Additionally, changes in water levels and salinity in the Nile Delta could impact the surrounding landscape and affect the stability of the monuments. It is essential that measures be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change on this invaluable cultural heritage site and to ensure that future generations can continue to appreciate its historical and artistic significance.
Fika is a Swedish intangible cultural heritage. Although there is no direct translation from Swedish to English that perfectly describes what Fika means, it can be loosely translated to 'coffee break'. However, Fika means a lot more than just having a coffee break, with the socialising aspect forming a very important part. Every day, Swedes take a Fika break where they have a coffee with friends, family or colleagues; often with something sweet on the side. It's a break from work, school, or any other obligations that people may have, where they can sit down and have a calm moment with a coffee and a friend. It's valuable in many different ways, not only for establishing a work-life balance, but also for maintaining one's well-being and improving productivity levels.
Midsummer celebration - Dancing around the maypole.
Midsummer, or 'Midsommar' as the Swedes call it, is a Swedish intangible cultural heritage. It is one of the most popular holidays in Sweden and takes place on the weekend closest to summer solstice, which occurs at the end of June. This is a full-day celebration of the longest day of the year with friends and/or family. Traditionally, the celebration involves singing and dancing around a maypole that that has been decorated with flowers and leaves (also called a 'Midsommarstång' in Swedish). Midsummer is valuable in many ways. Firstly, it is a significant social event where friends and family can get together and enjoy each other's company. Secondly, it is a way for Swedish people to connect with their heritage and pass down traditions to future generations. Finally, it is a celebration spent outdoors where people can connect with nature through celebrating the longest day of the year.
The six countries involved in the six nations rugby championship displayed using rugby balls.
The Six Nations Rugby Championship is an annual rugby competition between Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy. The Six Nations is a valuable intangible cultural heritage for many reasons. Firstly, it is a very important event for all six nations involved, as well as for rugby fans worldwide. Secondly, the Six Nations is a source of national pride for the participating countries. Finally, the championship is a significant social event, bringing people together from different backgrounds and cultures to celebrate their shared love for rugby.
This historic pond may be more famous today for its swimming and beach access, however the location is stepped with history. Walden pond inspired author Henry David Thoreau to write his famous aptly named Walden book as an ode to the two and a half years he spent by this pond in a nature retreat. While the pond today does not hold the same seclusion he had experienced, its beauty and surrounding walking trails provide a small respite from the bustling traffic of Route 2 only half a mile away. Luckily, this pond lies in the Walden Pond State Reservation and is unlikely to be threatened by development. However, as climate change affects the whole planet, this ecosystem will also be put under strain as with most natural places.
Ye Olde Burying Ground is the oldest burial ground in the town of Lexington, MA. The earliest graves here mark back to the 1690s. This cemetery boasts graves of many prominent early Lexington settlers as well as the bodies of soldiers from both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Famously, the first causality of the British army is also buried here in an unmarked grave.
Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century chapel located in Midlothian, Scotalnd, and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the country. The chapel has been featured in popular culture and is often associated with the myths and legends surrounding the Knights Templar. Its intricate stonework, including carvings of Green Man, dragons, and biblical scenes, is a testament to the skill of the masons who constructed it. The chapel has cultural heritage importance as a symbol of Scotland's medieval architecture and religious history.
This is a photo of a coral Reef at a Dive Site in Roatan, Honduras
The reefs off of the small island of Roatan remain some of the best preserved reefs around the world. The fish life and coral thrive in these protected areas and provide some of the best scuba diving in the world. While they remain in good shape today, the threat of climate change looms still and threatens to destroy these fragile ecosystems. Along with various reefs, this island sports a few sunken ship wrecks that add more intriguing dive sites to the area. It is an important part of the natural world that is under direct threat from climate change.
Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France. The Abbey atop Mont Saint-Michel swiftly rose to prominence as a major Christian West pilgrimage site and a seat of mediaeval culture where a significant quantity of manuscripts were created and preserved. "City of the Books" is the moniker given to Mont-Saint-Michel.
The reefs off of the small island of Roatan remain some of the best preserved reefs around the world. The fish life and coral thrive in these protected areas and provide some of the best scuba diving in the world. While they remain in good shape today, the threat of climate change looms still and threatens to destroy these fragile ecosystems. Along with various reefs, this island sports a few sunken ship wrecks that add more intriguing dive sites to the area. It is an important part of the natural world that is under direct threat from climate change. (re uploaded because I forgot to include the right layer)
Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island located off the coast of Normandy, France. It is home to a stunning Gothic-style abbey that dates back to the 8th century and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site has played an important role in French history and served as a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Mont Saint Michel has cultural significance as a symbol of medieval religious and military architecture, and its unique location and history make it a popular tourist destination. The Abbey atop Mont Saint-Michel swiftly rose to prominence as a major Christian West pilgrimage site and a seat of mediaeval culture where a significant quantity of manuscripts were created and preserved. "City of the Books" is the moniker given to Mont-Saint-Michel.
The ancient city of Pingyao is located in central Shanxi Province, China. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the ancient city of Pingyao includes ancient city walls, streets, shops, Urns, corner towers, and entrances; it has a land area of 225 hectares and is a complete complex of buildings. The architecture of the ancient city of Pingyao is unique and embodies the essence of ancient Chinese central city architecture. It is an important immovable cultural heritage in China and has been preserved Somewhat intact until now. However, the ancient city is subject to the effects of climate change, for example, due to heavy rainfall, which causes the walls to collapse due to waterlogging within the ancient city.
The art of Chinese seal carving is developed from the traditional Chinese seal technique. In ancient times, it was used to exercise and grant the power of state institutions and to prove personal identity. The earliest seals unearthed so far belong to the Shang Dynasty more than 3,000 years ago. During the Spring and Autumn Period, seals were widely used in society. The material used in ancient Chinese seals is mainly metal, which is divided into calligraphy (mainly seal script) and engraving (including chiseling and casting). The seal cutting has a history of nearly 500 years since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Ming and Qing schools of seal cutting developed from ancient seals, which laid a good foundation for the art of seal cutting with its unique style and high artistry. So seal carved art history can be traced back to 2000 years ago in the spring and autumn period and the warring states period (770 ~ 221 BC). Since the 13th century AD, literati and artists began to use stone to engraved seals. They used various knife handling techniques in their creation, forming different artistic styles, and numerous art schools such as "Anhui School" and "Zhejiang School" emerged. Seal works created by artists are called seal cutting. Since then, many famous seal cutters have emerged in the history of seal cutting, such as Wen Peng, Ding Jing, Deng Shiru, Wu Changshuo, Qi Baishi and so on.
Chengdu sugar painting is a unique traditional handicraft that integrates folk arts and crafts with cuisine. It is mainly popular in Chengdu, Sichuan Province and its surrounding areas. In the past, it was also called inverted sugar cake, sugar baba and sugar lantern shadow in Sichuan. Painting with melted sugar juice was widely popular in Chengdu, Sichuan Province and the surrounding cities and villages. Sugar painting originated around the 16th century. In the court custom of the Ming Dynasty, when offering sacrifices to ancestors in the New Year, the families of senior officials often used molds to print sugar lions, sugar tigers and famous scholars and warriors as sacrifices. Later, this skill was introduced to the people and gradually evolved into sugar painting. During the creation process, the artist sits in front of a sugar painting, holding a spoon in his hand. After a short thought, the artist quickly sprinkles the liquid sugar in the spoon onto the marble slab, which is as smooth as a mirror. The coagulated liquid sugar forms magical pictures of animals, flowers, insects, dramatic characters... When the fresh sugar paintings solidified, the artist used a bamboo skewer to glue each piece of work and pick it up to complete a piece of work. It is both ornamental and edible, integrated material and spiritual culture enjoyment into one.
Papyrus manufacturing techniques were lost a long time ago. The earliest use of papyrus dates back to 3000 BC; it was widely used before 8th century. In Europe, papyrus was gradually replaced by more durable kraft and parchment paper. Later, the Arabs spread the techniques of paper making from the East to the Mediterranean, papyrus was thus replaced by papers and its manufacturing method died out. As the climate gradually changed, the wild sedges gradually disappeared in the Nile Valley. It wasn't until 1962 that an Egyptian engineer, Hassan Ragab, restored the technique for making papyrus, using the papyrus that had been brought back to Egypt from France in 1872. Today, papyrus is mostly sold as handicrafts. Papyrus has extraordinary significance in ancient Egyptian culture. The ancient Egyptians believed that after death the souls of those who were judged could reach the heavenly land - Sekhet-Aaru, the "Field of Reeds”. The dead must be buried with the Book of the Dead, which was made of papyrus, as a guide to the afterlife. Today, due to climate change and the completion of the Aswan Dam, it's hard to see papyrus growing all over the Nile Valley again. Papyrus manufacturing techniques and existing papyrus documents are also in urgent need of protection. Several digital museums of papyrus documents have been created, like Turin Papyrus Online Platform (TPOP). In addition, the Egyptian government has taken steps to add papyrus production to the United Nations list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Phoenix Islands,or Rawaki, are a group of eight atolls and two submerged coral reefs that lie east of the Gilbert Islands and west of the Line Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, north of Samoa. They are part of the Republic of Kiribati. Their combined land area is 28 square kilometres (11 sq mi). The only island of any commercial importance is Canton Island (also called Abariringa). The other islands are Enderbury, Rawaki (formerly Phoenix), Manra (formerly Sydney), Birnie, McKean, Nikumaroro (formerly Gardner), and Orona (formerly Hull). The Phoenix Islands Protected Area, established in 2008, is one of the World's largest protected areas, and is home to about 120 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish. All of the Phoenix Islands are uninhabited, except for a few families who live on Canton Island.
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a 2,430-meter (7,970 ft) mountain ridge. Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most familiar icon of the Inca Empire. It is located in the Machupicchu District within Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, which is 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of Cusco. The Urubamba River flows past it, cutting through the Cordillera and creating a canyon with a tropical mountain climate.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism
Olympic National Park features a spectacular coastline, scenic lakes, majestic mountains and glaciers, and a magnificent virgin temperate rainforest. Olympic National Park has a wealth of geological formations – including rocky islets along the coast formed by a continuously receding and changing coastline, deep canyons and valleys formed by erosion and craggy peaks and beautiful cirques sculpted by glaciation. Olympic National Park is also the lowest latitude in the world in which glaciers form below an elevation of 2000 meters and occur below an elevation of 1000 meters. The park’s relative isolation, high rainfall, strong west-to-east precipitation gradient, ten major watersheds and rugged topography have combined to produce varied and complex life zones – from coastline to temperate forest to alpine meadows to glaciated peaks. As a result, the park is rich in biological diversity and has a high rate of endemism.
Olympic National Park is a United States national park located in the State of Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. The park has four regions: the Pacific coastline, alpine areas, the west-side temperate rainforest, and the forests of the drier east side. Within the park there are three distinct ecosystems, including subalpine forest and wildflower meadow, temperate forest, and the rugged Pacific coast. President Theodore Roosevelt originally designated the park as Mount Olympus National Monument on March 2, 1909.The monument was re-designated a national park by Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 29, 1938. In 1976, Olympic National Park was designated by UNESCO as an International Biosphere Reserve, and in 1981 as a World Heritage Site. In 1988, Congress designated 95 percent of the park (1,370 square miles (3,500 km2)) as the Olympic Wilderness, which was renamed Daniel J. Evans Wilderness in honor of Governor and U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans in 2017. During his tenure in the Senate, Evans co-sponsored the 1988 bill that created the state's wilderness areas. It is the largest wilderness area in Washington.
Chinese calligraphy has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2009 (UNESCO, 2009). It is a traditional art form that involves the use of a brush and ink to create beautiful characters and symbols on paper or other surfaces. It has a long history in Chinese culture and is considered one of the highest forms of visual art. Chinese calligraphy is the writing of Chinese characters as an art form, combining purely visual art and interpretation of the literary meaning. This type of expression has been widely practiced in China and has been generally held in high esteem across East Asia. Calligraphy is considered one of the four most-sought skills and hobbies of ancient Chinese literati, along with playing stringed musical instruments, the board game "Go", and painting. There are some general standardizations of the various styles of calligraphy in this tradition. Chinese calligraphy and ink and wash painting are closely related: they are accomplished using similar tools and techniques, and have a long history of shared artistry. Calligraphy has also led to the development of many forms of art in China, including seal carving, ornate paperweights, and inkstones.
Chinese calligraphy has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2009. It is a traditional art form that involves the use of a brush and ink to create beautiful characters and symbols on paper or other surfaces. It has a long history in Chinese culture and is considered one of the highest forms of visual art. Chinese calligraphy is the writing of Chinese characters as an art form, combining purely visual art and interpretation of the literary meaning. This type of expression has been widely practiced in China and has been generally held in high esteem across East Asia. Calligraphy is considered one of the four most-sought skills and hobbies of ancient Chinese literati, along with playing stringed musical instruments, the board game "Go", and painting. There are some general standardizations of the various styles of calligraphy in this tradition. Chinese calligraphy and ink and wash painting are closely related: they are accomplished using similar tools and techniques, and have a long history of shared artistry. Calligraphy has also led to the development of many forms of art in China, including seal carving, ornate paperweights, and inkstones.
West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
The west lake cultural landscape of Hangzhou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hangzhou, China. It is a cultural landscape that encompasses the west lake and its surrounding hills, temples, pagodas, and gardens. The site has been a popular destination for tourists and poets for centuries, and its natural beauty has been celebrated in Chinese literature and art. The west lake cultural landscape has cultural, historical, and aesthetic value, showcasing the blending of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The site embodies the Chinese philosophy of harmony between man and nature, and it represents the cultural and artistic achievements of the Southern Song Dynasty.
The most famous Mazu temple called Jenn Lann Temple in Taiwan
The Mazu belief and customs are a set of traditions and practices that are centered around the worship of Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess. Mazu belief is particularly popular among coastal communities in Southern China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The Mazu belief and customs are rich in heritage and have been passed down from generation to generation for over a thousand years. The Mazu belief and customs are valuable as they are integral to the cultural identity of coastal communities, provide insights into the relationship between people and the sea, and represent a unique blend of different beliefs and practices.