‘Heritage and Societies: Toward the 20th Anniversary of the Nara Document and Beyond’ – Conference Report
Journal of Japanese Law (2012), No. 34, pp. 309-316
8 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2020
Date Written: February 22, 2013
Abstract
A conference ‘Heritage and Societies: Toward the 20th Anniversary of the Nara Document and Beyond’ took place in Himeji city on 3-5 November 2012. The Conference was organized jointly by the Agency of Cultural Affairs of Japan and Himeji City under the initiative of Professor T. Kono (Kyushu Univ.). A number of experts of were invited to discuss the recent developments in the field of the protection of cultural heritage. The conference was organized to celebrate 40 years anniversary from the adoption of the 1972 UNESCO Convention the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the approaching 20 year anniversary of the so called ‘Nara Document on Authenticity’ which was adopted in 1994.
The Nara Document was a milestone for the formulation of the notion of authenticity of heritage. This document marked a conceptual shift which allowed the inscription of wooden buildings in the World Heritage List. Besides, the Nara Document had a significant normative impact so that the Operational Guidelines for the WHC were revised in 2005. Yet, since then there has been an obvious need for further discussion with regard to the meaning of authenticity and integrity of heritage, its implications to heritage management, the relationship between authenticity and social change as well as the involvement of the communities in the identification of value heritage and management of the heritage.
This Report provides for a short overview of the main topics discussed at the conference and illustrates the direction towards which the debate concerning the notion of authenticity is heading to.
Keywords: Authenticity, cultural heritage, fūdo, World Heritage Convention, tangible heritage, intangible heritage, communities
JEL Classification: H00, K00, K10, K30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation