What is Worth Preserving in Digital Archiving? Community, Consent and an Exploration of the Psychology of

Objective: This study examines the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape in Yunnan, with a focus on its cultural, ecological, and historical significance. It explores the challenges associated with its revitalization and proposes strategies for sustainable development in alignment with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), offering valuable insights for global heritage conservation. Theoretical Framework:The revitalization of intangible cultural heritage, such as the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape, requires a theoretical framework that integrates Cultural Landscape Theory and Ecological Wisdom. This landscape exemplifies the harmonious relationship between nature and culture, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Cultural Revitalization Theory emphasizes innovation and participatory approaches in heritage management, fostering dynamic community engagement. Additionally, the concept of Cultural Confidence supports national identity and the preservation of global heritage, providing guidance for sustainable development and cultural transmission strategies at Jingmai Mountain and similar sites. Method: This study adopts a qualitative approach that combines case study analysis with a literature review to investigate the revitalization of the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape. It integrates primary data from field visits and interviews with secondary data from academic sources. The findings contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Results and Discussion:The restoration of the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape is essential for the protection and sustainable utilization of this unique cultural and ecological resource. Modern digital technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and digital archiving, offer innovative solutions for heritage preservation while enhancing public engagement. Promoting local community involvement and integrating cultural industries with rural regeneration efforts will stimulate the economic and social vitality of the area. A collaborative framework involving stakeholders—including government, academia, businesses, and local communities—is crucial for maximizing the cultural, ecological, and economic benefits of the forest. Research Implications:This study underscores the importance of integrating modern technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and digital archiving, in the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly for the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest. It highlights the need for active local community involvement in revitalization efforts to ensure the sustainability of cultural practices and economic vitality. Additionally, the study warns against over-commercialization and advocates for balanced policies that promote both heritage conservation and economic development through sustainable tourism and stakeholder collaboration. Originality/Value:This study contributes by introducing the integration of digital technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and digital archiving, into cultural heritage revitalization, with a particular focus on the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest. It emphasizes the importance of local community involvement in heritage management, linking cultural preservation to rural revitalization. The study also addresses the challenges of balancing traditional conservation with modern development, offering a framework for sustainable tourism, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring long-term cultural and economic sustainability.

This paper examines Zhujiayu Village in China, focusing on its distinctive natural environment, traditional architecture, and intangible cultural heritage. By integrating digital preservation with sustainable development, the study aims to safeguard and perpetuate the unique cultural landscape of Zhujiayu Village. At the core of this study is the application of digital technology in the conservation of cultural landscapes by employing technologies such as 3D scanning, geographic information systems (GIS), and virtual reality (VR) to create a comprehensive digital archive of the village's traditional architecture, cultural landscapes, and intangible heritage. Through the creation of digital archives, a detailed record will be provided for the restoration projects of future buildings while raising public awareness of the protection of buildings and intangible cultural heritage. Through the construction of digital scenes, virtual tourism is promoted so that more people can understand the culture of Zhujiayu Village and reduce the wear and tear of intangible cultural heritage. The study also explores the challenges and opportunities of digital protection technologies, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts between government agencies, local communities, and tourism management organisations. In conclusion, the Zhujiayu Village Cultural Landscape digital conservation study model not only provides a pioneering approach to heritage conservation but also provides valuable insights and a framework that can be adapted and applied to other similar rural cultural heritage conservation in China, marking an important step towards the sustainable development of heritage conservation.

The impact of digital technologies to the domain of cultural heritage has increased the speed and automation of the processes and practices that involve processing and presentation of digital heritage data. Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) can play a key role towards the conservation, preservation, and management of architectural heritage. This includes the preservation of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage at multiple levels. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of digital storytelling through digital technologies by integrating intangible data and information to the tangible heritage in the scan-to-BIM process. The paper builds on few works that have begun to investigate the classification of intangible qualitative heritage data within a BIM and VR context for heritage assets. This exploration demonstrates that the incorporation of both qualitative and quantitative information about a heritage-built asset has value in the (re)interpretation, documentation and preservation of cultural heritage. The development of HBIM and VR in this paper is to bring together heterogeneous data that has the potential to provide a model for future work in the field of heritage conservation and digital technologies. The city of Surat is used as a case study for exploring the potential of digital storytelling for the city’s urban heritage. Indeed, this holistic integration can enhance the awareness of urban cultural heritage to support the processes of local urban heritage conservation for key stakeholders such as local Government, heritage conservation experts, urban planners and local communities.KeywordsDigital storytellingDigital technologiesIntangible heritageTangible heritageHBIMVRIndiaSurat

This study assessed the role of information technology in the Conservation of intangible cultural heritage in Tanzania specifically at Bagamoyo. It assessed the role of information technology in the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage and the development of information technology in the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. The study used a quantitative approach through a case study design as the framework for data collection. The study collected data from 40 respondents through questionnaire and observation guide. The data was analysed using SPSS, where frequencies and percentages as well as mean scores were computed after which tables were derived. The study found that Information technology in important in conservation of both intangible and tangible cultural heritage albeit with some challenges. Some of the important aspects of information technology in cultural heritage conservation were such as Digital documentation, analysis and restoration, enhancing accessibility, virtual and augmented reality, language and accessibility, Documentation and archiving, digitization of performances and art forms, oral history preservation, and enhancing accessibility were important aspects through which information technology is used for cultural heritage conservation. The study recommended for enhance digital documentation and archiving, increase funding and resource allocation, develop collaborative partnerships, implement community engagement programs, enhance accessibility and sharing of digital resources and leveraging mobile technology and social media.

The purpose of the article was to explore the key aspects of archives, their role in the protection of cultural heritage and their impact on social development. Particular attention was paid to the problems of access to archival data in the context of digitalisation and the development of strategies to address them. This article analysed the web platform of the State Archival Service of Ukraine, which is one of the tools for preserving and disseminating the cultural heritage of Ukraine. Special attention was paid to the analysis of modern approaches to digitalisation of archival documents. The prospects of using the latest technologies to create online museums, which increase the efficiency of people’s access to cultural heritage, are investigated. The article analysed one of the websites of the online museums of Ukraine, which stores the intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine, and considers the archival policy in the field of preservation of intangible cultural heritage. A list of immovable monuments of cultural heritage in Ukraine was found on the website of the State Archives, which helped to consider how the number of preserved intangible cultural heritage is controlled. The results were obtained from statistical data on requests for access to archival documents. The study provided data on the most frequent requests to the archives, as well as the methods of application. The study of online museums confirmed the relevance of modernising museums and their transition to online mode. Further improvement of the archival policy is important to ensure the preservation of cultural property and historical data. The results of the study indicate that archival policy is crucial for maintaining national memory, and the effectiveness of archival institutions has a significant impact on the preservation of cultural heritage

Intangible heritage is the name given to practices, expressions, different knowledge, and skills that several communities recognize as being part of their cultural identity. This includes aspects such as traditions, oral histories, rituals, performing arts, and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Intangible heritage, unlike its tangible counterpart, cannot be materialized. However, it plays a unique role in enhancing and deepening cultural diversity. More importantly, it fosters a sense of belonging, underlining the significance of preserving these living traditions. Intangible heritage now faces threats such as lifestyle changes, urbanization, and the decreasing interest of new generations in traditional cultural manifestations due to digital advancement and the influence of globalized companies.Intangible heritage, unlike its tangible counterpart, cannot be materialized. However, it plays a unique role in enhancing and deepening cultural diversity. More importantly, it fosters a sense of belonging, underlining the significance of preserving these living traditions.Studies state that virtual museums and platforms are effective in promoting intangible heritage and that technologies such as virtual and augmented reality provide effective experiences for its dissemination and preservation. However, limitations persist due to the predominant focus on audiovisual senses, neglecting others such as smell, taste, touch, proprioception, kinetic, vestibular, and thermal, limiting the user experience.Virtual and augmented reality are technologies that make it possible to experience a virtual world and add layers of information to the real one. Virtual reality (also known as VR) makes it possible to create an immersive digital environment where users can interact using audiovisuals such as VR goggles. Augmented reality (AR) allows digital elements to be added and superimposed to the real-world using devices such as smartphones or special glasses, providing an enriched perception of the natural environment. While VR offers users an entirely new experience, AR complements existing reality by integrating information and virtual elements in an interactive and visually appealing way, and both technologies have applications in gaming, education, training, and entertainment. However, being focused on the audiovisual senses, they leave other senses unstimulated, neglecting the ones such as smell, taste, touch, proprioception, kinetic, vestibular, and thermal, limiting the user experience.This study explores how, through synesthetic design, a multi-sensory approach can be conceived for virtual and augmented reality experiences. It uses robotics to stimulate different senses and analyse its impact on immersion and acquiring knowledge related to intangible heritage. It also aims to investigate how robotics can be used for sensory stimulation, what senses can stimulate, how they can be integrated into the immersive experience, and how this practice can be used to preserve intangible heritage.The results obtained will help to define synesthetic design practices, integrate the analyzed technologies into the preservation and dissemination of Portugal's intangible heritage and serve as a reference for future projects related to both synesthetic design and sensory stimulation practices.

The traditional mode of intangible cultural heritage communication is mainly offline activities, such as market fairs, temple fairs, sacrificial activities or physical or text and picture display of scenic area museums. With the popularity of the Internet and mobile terminal devices, the traditional offline display methods obviously can not meet the needs of the audience. Communication through digital technology can truly realize the “living communication” of intangible cultural heritage. In the era of rapid development of mobile Internet, video and video have become popular communication methods for the audience. Intangible cultural heritage uses digital means to achieve more detailed and diversified communication, and substitutes the audience into its scene to have all-round contact with intangible cultural heritage. With the rapid development of economic construction, the construction of social spiritual civilization has also accelerated its own pace. We need to use big data technology to give modern attributes to the traditional intangible cultural heritage and make these unfamiliar information full of vitality. Therefore, this paper studies the influencing factors and protection of folk intangible cultural heritage endangered inheritance based on big data technology.KeywordsBig data technologyFolk intangible cultural heritageEndangered heritageIntangible cultural heritage protection

Introduction. The complexity of determining the objects of intangible heritage and establishing organizational and legal mechanisms for their protection is due to the fact that we are talking about non-materialized processes and phenomena for which it is impossible to accurately calculate the degree of preservation. This is how they differ from traditional museum objects and monuments of culture and art, therefore, it is difficult to develop a set of measures aimed at their conservation. Theoretical analysis. A comparative legal analysis of the definitions of intangible heritage in the Convention and the Model Law of the CIS countries allows us to conclude that there is a conceptual teleological difference in approaches to understanding intangible heritage that should be protected: exclusively empirical, in which any manifestation of folk culture that has uniqueness and originality is protected; complex, including axiological, ethical, normative and empirical aspects, assuming a certain assessment of various traditions, customs, folklore heritage, plots and images. Empirical analysis. Consideration of federal legislation has revealed the fragmentary nature of the norms governing relations for the preservation, popularization and development of the intangible cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation. The absence of a single legal concept of “intangible cultural heritage” is a significant gap in the current legislation on culture and does not contribute to the effective protection of its objects. The envisaged Register (catalog) of Intangible Heritage Objects of the Peoples of the Russian Federation is at the initial stage of its formation. Results. According to the results of the study, the author concludes that it is currently necessary to develop a unified concept for the protection of intangible cultural heritage, which would combine unified universal approaches to the protection of the intangible cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia and the specifics of their protection, taking into account the uniqueness and originality of objects, and would contribute to increasing interest of people of such culture in its preservation and popularization.

Hainan is located at the southernmost tip of China, since ancient times it has always occupied an important position on the Silk Road. Hainan culture is dominated by minority and marine cultures and has a rich intangible cultural heritage. Hainan has always been committed to the development and utilization of its wide cultural heritage, and the development direction is mainly based on live display and folk activities. In May 2020, the Chinese government announced the establishment of the Hainan Free Trade Port Policy and System, the establishment of a Hainan International Free Trade Zone, and the development of tourism, modern services, and high-tech industry. All these put forward higher requirements for the protection of Hainan’s cultural heritage, not just traditional ways to protect and promote, but also to use the dividends of current scientific and technological development to keep up with the times to protect and promote. The integration of digital technology will be the development direction of cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage. This paper enumerates and analyzes other cases and academic directions of intangible cultural heritage, combined with the present situation of intangible cultural heritage in Hainan. It also analyzes the predicament of handiwork inheritance in Hainan intangible cultural heritage, expounds the structure, humanistic connotation, and construction skills of Li nationality ship house, and summarizes the role of a novel deep learning convolutional neural network- (CNN-) based virtual reality framework of intangible cultural heritage conservation in promoting the intangible cultural heritage of traditional skills. It also puts forward the scheme and heritage conservation virtual reality content construction and provides the process of building a virtual reality platform for the intangible cultural heritage of ship-shaped houses, which as an example can be used as a reference for intangible cultural heritage researchers in other areas. At the same time, it fills the gap for the artificial intelligence-based digitization of the intangible cultural heritage.

The preservation of cultural heritage has become increasingly reliant on Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies, reflecting a global shift toward technology-driven conservation strategies. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from diverse academic sources to examine how AI is being applied to safeguard both tangible and intangible heritage. Literature searches were conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, employing keywords such as “Artificial Intelligence,” “cultural heritage preservation,” “digital archiving,” and “machine learning.” Studies were screened based on inclusion criteria emphasizing empirical research, case studies, and reviews published within the last decade. Results reveal four dominant themes: tangible heritage conservation, intangible heritage preservation, environmental monitoring and risk management, and museum and archive engagement. AI has demonstrated strong potential in artifact restoration, predictive maintenance, and revitalization of traditional practices through immersive technologies. However, systemic barriers, including limited financial resources, fragmented governance, and lack of standardized ethical frameworks, hinder its broader adoption. Ethical challenges, particularly concerning cultural representation, data privacy, and inclusivity, further complicate implementation. Innovative solutions such as public-private partnerships, community-driven digitization, and interdisciplinary collaborations present promising pathways forward. The findings highlight both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into heritage preservation and emphasize the need for urgent, coordinated strategies to enhance cultural sustainability. This study contributes to the discourse by underscoring the dual imperative of advancing technological adoption while ensuring cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

Research on the Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Network Perspective

Goal: This paper presents the development of an ontological model for the 8th edition of the international literary festival Bookstan (2023). The model was designed to enable digital mapping and archiving, to facilitate data accessibility, and to ensure semantic interoperability, thereby contributing to the preservation of the festival as intangible cultural heritage. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach was adopted, combining experimental and descriptive methods. The ontology was developed in Protégé, with data drawn from official festival documents and complementary sources. The modeling process followed the principles outlined by Noy and McGuinness, alongside the Schema.org standard, enriched with tailored object relations. Results: The resulting model comprises 15 classes, 36 object properties, 5 data properties, and 237 instances. It provides a structured representation of events, participants, and venues. SPARQL queries demonstrated efficient data retrieval, while OntoGraf supported structural visualization. The model has been published openly on the GitHub platform. Research limitations/implications: The scope of the model is limited to the 8th edition of the festival, without coverage of previous or subsequent editions. Discussion: Employing the Schema.org standard enhanced semantic interoperability, while customized relations allowed for the nuanced mapping of complex interactions between participants and programmes. The model illustrates the potential for standardizing the digital archiving of similar cultural events. Originality/value: This study constitutes the first attempt to apply ontological modeling to a cultural event in Bosnia and Herzegovina, framing it as intangible cultural heritage. Beyond supporting its preservation, the work opens new avenues for research and facilitates the promotion of the festival through semantic networks.

In recent years, both the government and society have been actively engaged in promoting rural revitalization through policy guidance, infrastructural enhancements, and the adoption of successful models. This concerted effort has not only bolstered innovation within rural revitalization initiatives but has also fostered the preservation and promotion of rural non-material cultural heritage, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of rural areas. This paper delves into the sustainable development of the purple sand industry in Yixing's Dingshu Town within the framework of rural revitalization strategies, using Dingshu Town as a case study. It meticulously examines the current status of the purple sand industry in Dingshu Town while analyzing the challenges and opportunities associated with the preservation and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Furthermore, the paper explores effective methodologies for ensuring the sustainable growth of the purple sand industry in Dingshu Town, Yixing, focusing on aspects such as innovative design, market expansion, talent cultivation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Additionally, it investigates the interplay between the intangible cultural heritage industry and the arts within the context of rural development. The development of the purple sand industry has not only enriched the local community but has also catalyzed the growth of other related sectors. Throughout Dingshu's history and its present, the purple sand industry has played a pivotal role. With China's ongoing economic and social progress, coupled with the increasing emphasis on social consumption, the purple sand industry has emerged as a crucial element in people's pursuit of spiritual and cultural fulfillment in modern times. Undoubtedly, it is poised to reach new heights of development in the foreseeable future.

Heritage in its very diverse forms has become a significant force in contemporary society. This is manifested by the importance of heritage in shaping identities, the use of heritage by political forces, and the increasing interconnectedness of heritage, the entertainment business and tourism. Heritage is a part of tangible reality while at the same time being an intangible phenomenon. Heritage connects people to each other and to the environment, both its material and natural aspects, therefore forming part of our world. By relying on heritage, recreating it and attributing important meanings to it, people shape the way societies function. The aim of this article is to create a conceptual framework for treating the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. In order to do that, I will use the concept of heritage on the one hand and the information ecological approach on the other hand. The article proposes to create a clearer conceptual framework for treating intangible cultural heritage, with the main emphasis on the preservation aspect. Heritage can be considered from very different aspects, from its philosophical meaning to highly technical conservation proceedings. In this article, I proceed from the idea that heritage is a phenomenon currently being created by people, i.e. from the principle of socio-cultural construction. Of course, this is just one possible way to interpret and utilise the past. It is clear that the treatment of heritage in this way poses a serious challenge to preservation – how should the heritage process be preserved? In my discussion of the heritage process, I use the information ecology framework, mainly drawing on ideas of Bonnie Nardi and Vicky O’Day. Information ecology is a system of people, activities, and technologies in a specific local environment. The information ecologic system is an intertwined network of a specific group of people and their tools and activities. The information ecological approach is characterised by systematicity, diversity, co-evolution and locality. All these aspects are also very important when it comes to intangible heritage. It is evident from the information ecological perspective that preservation of heritage is not a neutral technical activity but rather a social process, in the course of which values and meanings are created, changed and preserved. In preserving heritage, it is important to consider both the heritage itself and the level of society in the framework of which the management takes place. With intangible heritage, it is important to differentiate between individuals and families, groups and communities who practice it. At the national and international levels, specific heritage practices can be recognised and supported, but determining these practices and their actual preservation takes place at the community and individual levels. In order to preserve intangible heritage, we need to support the people, groups and communities who use and develop the given tradition. This means supporting a social and cultural process, in the event that such support is needed in the first place. Communities use intangible heritage to fix their current problems. These aims might not overlap with the national and international goals of preservation. To sum up information ecological principles from the aspect of preserving intangible heritage, what has to be emphasised is the importance of systemic treatment. People practicing heritage skills, their clients, researchers, preservers of heritage and community activists, to name just a few stakeholders, should form an integral system. Different parties are bound to see the system from different perspectives; on the one hand, this cannot be avoided, on the other hand, it is a barrier that needs to be overcome. What is extremely important is the reflection of the so-called grass-roots level perspective, expressed in the subjective view of the person with heritage skills, when determining and preserving heritage. When treating the functions of heritage skills, in addition to their economic significance, which often prevails, what needs to be observed is also the role of these skills in shaping community identities and in creating and preserving social cohesion, but also as parts of education and the wider social communication system. Via heritage skills, meanings are created and values are presented to the community and to society as a whole. I think the fact that heritage participates in the creation of value environments is what guarantees heritage a place in contemporary information society.

The purpose of the article is to characterize digital collections devoted to the preservation and popularization of intangible cultural heritage in European and Ukrainian web information environments. The research methodology consists in the application of general scientific and special methods, in particular the system approach, analysis, synthesis, logical method, method of visualization of research results. Methods of content analysis, comparative and analytical monitoring of Internet resources for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage were used to track the state of digital collections in the web information environment. The scientific novelty of the work consists in expanding ideas about the protection, preservation and popularization of intangible cultural heritage at the world and national levels in web information environments. An analysis of four European and two Ukrainian digital collections, representing intangible cultural heritage and hosted on the relevant web information environments, was carried out. Conclusions. At the current stage of our country's development, it is irreversible to join the European integration processes and strive for a worthy representation of Ukrainian culture in the world information space. The creation of a resource of the historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people has become one of the activities of libraries, archives, museums and other institutions related to national memory, an integral part of the national bibliography, archeography and archival studies, museology of Ukraine in its broad sense as a resource of national documentary memory. The article examines four European and two Ukrainian digital collections dedicated to the preservation and popularization of intangible cultural heritage in the web information environment, which represent a sufficient number of intangible cultural heritage elements presented in multimedia resources. It was established that in the case of both marketing and communication policy, it is expedient to use social network platforms and mass media, which will have a positive effect on society's interest in the elements of intangible cultural heritage. Keywords: intangible cultural heritage, representation of Ukrainian culture, digital collections, web information environment, popularization of intangible cultural heritage.