Elements Of Heritage Research Articles

Geological heritage in the Northern Apuseni Mountains (Romania): Degradation risk assessment of selected geosites

This study focuses on evaluating the geological heritage of the Northern Apuseni Mountains in Romania, assessing the scientific, educational and tourism value of various geological elements. Geological heritage elements, such as rocks, formations, fossils, structures, and landscapes, offer valuable insights into unique geological events or phenomena. Understanding their significance is crucial for conservation and management purposes. Our study aims to identify and assess the degradation risk of eleven selected geosites based on specific criteria related to their vulnerability to deterioration and potential human impact. The assessment revealed that three geosites, namely the type locality of dacite (Poieni), the paleontological reserve Snail Hill from Vidra, and the Upper Cretaceous rudist-bearing shallow-marine deposit from Crișului Valley, have a high degradation risk, necessitating the development of targeted geoconservation plans. For the Runcuri Karst Plateau, Tășad Geological Reserve, Bedeleu Massif, Turda Gorges, and Călugări Karst Spring, we obtained a moderate degradation risk. Possibility of deterioration of the main or secondary geological elements, deficiency of legal protection, and the easy access of a large number of tourists are the main factors to contribute to the increased degradation risk. Low degradation risk was found for the geological structures located in the Padiș Karst Plateau and Galbena Valley. Their location within the Apuseni Natural Park provides the framework for legal protection. The geological elements in the Sighiștel Valley also present a low risk of degradation due to their location in a little known and visited area. Our results provide a comprehensive evaluation of degradation risk for geosites in the Northern Apuseni Mountains, offering insights into the specific factors contributing to their vulnerability and highlighting the need for protective measures. The research outcomes contribute to the broader field of geological heritage conservation and management, providing guidance on the presentation of scientific information and promoting the understanding and appreciation of geosites. Effective promotion strategies can enhance awareness and encourage sustainable tourism while safeguarding these unique geological features.

How Does Overtourism Affect Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements?

The primary purpose of this research is to determine the effects of overtourism on ICH elements. The qualitative research method was chosen because it is appropriate for the research. In this direction, interviews were conducted with craftsmen who produce ICH elements in Cappadocia. During the interviews, five questions were asked of the craftsmen. Content analysis was applied to the findings obtained. The analysis determined that demand for the ICH elements has increased. It was determined that there was no change in the production techniques of the ICH elements but a change in the production objective of the ICH elements. The authenticity of the ICH elements was determined to have decreased, and their economic value increased. The results show that overtourism affects the elements of the ICH and that its negative impact is felt more intensely.

Cultural heritage-based creative design on social anxiety disorder patients’ mental health

Background Social anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder that refers to excessive nervousness, fear, and fear of being judged or shamed by others in social situations. Although traditional psychotherapy methods are effective, their effectiveness is not good. Intangible cultural heritage elements cultural design uses traditional cultural elements to create unique products and experiences, which can provide a bridge for patients to communicate with others.Subjects and Methods100 patients with social anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the intangible cultural design intervention, while the control group received conventional psychotherapy. The mental health status of the subjects was assessed by Stanford Acute Stress Response Questionnaire (SASRQ) and 3-Minute Delirium Diagnosis Scale (3D-CAM) scale scores before and after the intervention.Results The results showed that the social anxiety of the experimental group was significantly reduced and the mental health status was significantly improved after the intervention, while the intervention effect of the control group was relatively limited. It shows that intangible cultural and creative design has a positive impact on the mental health of patients with social anxiety disorder.ConclusionsThrough the cultural and creative design of intangible cultural heritage elements, patients can reduce anxiety by creating and appreciating works. At the same time, patients can understand and experience traditional culture to enhance their cultural identity and self-esteem. In addition, patients can share work and exchange creative experiences with others to improve social skills. This method provides a new approach to the psychological treatment of patients with social anxiety disorder.

Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as State: The Role of New Media in Modern Conflicts

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that Ukraine is under the influence of military aggression, and ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language under such conditions is a fundamental guarantee of its national security and state sovereignty. The purpose of the study is to examine the peculiarities of the Ukrainian language as the state language in two aspects: as a sign and communication system and as a system that performs a practical social role in society. The subject of the study is the state language as an important element of the cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people and a prerequisite for the formation of its national identity. The methodological basis of the study is general (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) and special (methods of collecting information and processing it, methods of forecasting and modeling) means of scientific knowledge. The research resulted in the argumentation that an extremely important factor in solving the problem of achieving national unity is the national language, which should be spoken by the entire population of the country, since the language in which a person not only communicates but also thinks, at the subconscious level, also forms spiritual values corresponding to a particular language. It is the unity of language, spiritual values, and cultural heritage that is a prerequisite for ensuring the national unity of a country and the formation of its nation's identity. The conclusion of the study is that the State language is the most important part of the national wealth of Ukraine and therefore should be under special protection by the State as one of the objects of the system of ensuring the national security of the country.

Challenges of the modernization and industrialization of the manufacture of Ndop fabric from Cameroon

The Ndop fabric is part of the material witnesses of Cameroonian living culture like the Faso Dan Fani of Burkina Faso, like the shuka of the Massai of Kenya and Tanzania. These symbolic fabrics have a highly significant cultural and heritage dimension in their community. The promotion of these traditional African garments and the modernization of ancestral manufacturing techniques have for several decades contributed to the development of the continent's textile industry. The proliferation of ancient and modern traditional styles testifies the impact of the industrialization of the sector on the economy and on local cultures. These transformations certainly bring added value to the economy, but they have a strong impact on the value and cultural dimension of the fabric. In a global context where it is necessary to develop this sector of the local African textile industry, it is necessary to find means and possibilities which promote the emergence of African fashion by giving pride of place to the conservation and preservation of originality of these fabrics which are elements of the national cultural heritage. The decline in the symbolic and cultural value of these fabrics prompts profound reflections on the manner and means of its production and of its current use.

Cross-Border Tourism and Community Solidarity at a Militarized Border: A Photo Elicitation Approach

Despite increased militarization along international borders, border communities share elements of natural and cultural heritage. This shared heritage invokes a form of solidarity whose influence on cross-border tourism and bordering processes is understudied. The purpose of this study is to analyze how community solidarity influences tourism and border processes at the highly militarized U.S.-Mexico border by using photo-elicitation. Data were collected from 21 participants from Mexico and the U.S. A direct and indirect analysis of the interviews and photos found major themes and common focal points within photos, and the findings demonstrate binational solidarity for heritage and a desire for sharing this heritage with visitors. The paper contributes a conceptual framing of how borders are reinforced through militarization and softened through tourism, cross-border collaboration, and biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration. The implications of these findings for border theories and frameworks are discussed in further detail.

FOREIGN PUBLISHING EFFECT AND INTEGRABILITY OF INTANGIBLE CULTURE HERITAGE INTO CHILDREN’S BOOKS

The products of foreign children’s book publishing houses are often translated into Turkish and published by Turkish publishing houses mostly causing the foreign cultural elements reflected to an extent in these prints’ contexts. Thus, the writing style and physical qualities of storybooks in Turkish used for mother tongue, foreign language, and second language instruction should keep up with its counterparts more effectively. The study aims to provide a glance at American/English children’s book and their availability in Turkish publishing companies focusing on the integrability of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements with children’s books, especially for young learners learning Turkish as a second or foreign language. Intangible Cultural Heritage (with its Turkish abbreviation SOKÜM) by UNESCO is defined as practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, and related tools, materials, and cultural spaces that communities, groups, and in some cases, individuals define as part of their cultural heritage and they constitute a crucial dimension of cultural transfer. The cultural transfer is one of the important functions of language and is also an effective tool in language instruction. However, there are very few studies in the literature that points to the link between intangible cultural heritage and language teaching. Apart from its instruction as L1, with the enlargement and growing years of Teaching Turkish as a foreign language various teaching sets, materials, and theses have been created and versatility amplified in the instructive processes. So far, especially the lack of reading materials as well as the lack of elements directly promoting Turkish culture is striking. Mostly the cultural elements embedded in Turkish teaching sets, and in detail, the cultural objects included are limited. But these elements are crucial for the representation and promotion of Turkish culture to foreign or bilingual Turkish youngsters. Among all these versatility and richness in options, deciding just how effective a children’s book can be in children’s language learning doesn’t only depend on looking at the so-called “recto and verso” of the book in question. In the present day, foreign cultures (especially lingua franca) and the language in social media are very effective in deciding which book to include in the extensive reading sessions but the lack of appropriate readers designed and prepared according to Turkish culture is strongly felt for foreign/bilingual young children learning Turkish as a foreign/second language. Depending on the necessary qualities of learners of Turkish as the target language, the study presents some possible contexts and physically probable children’s book forms for the audience in question.

Research on the Industrial Heritage Community Retrofitting Design Based on Space Network Model of Carbon

The low-carbon retrofitting of industrial heritage communities is an important issue for reducing urban carbon emissions. Previous research on the judgment of heritage elements and carbon emission factors of industrial heritage communities lacked the construction of elements within the space, and the value judgment of conservation and the determination of low-carbon factors lacked a systematic network analysis. Carbon spatial networks as a systematic approach can systematically harmonize the contradictions between “conservation–transformation–low carbon” while considering the spatial and temporal carbon emissions of nodes. This research uses hierarchical analysis to analyze the value of heritage elements and locate them in space, then combine the elements that affect carbon activities in space to form carbon space nodes integrated with heritage conservation elements, and analyze the links between nodes to form a carbon space network. Then, this research uses a carbon spatial network to dissect the structure of carbon emissions, calculate the carbon activity at nodes, and reflect it into a parameterized platform to guide designers. After that, this research selected 16 industrial heritage communities in the severe cold region for the carbon activity measurement of carbon spatial network node elements in the operation stage and conducted a correlation analysis to obtain a correlation matrix model of node elements and carbon activities. Within the constraints of heritage element protection, the results show that the volume ratio, green area ratio, and building density of the carbon spatial network model have the greatest influence on its carbon performance, followed by porosity and road density. Through case simulation verification, the floor area ratio of industrial heritage communities should be controlled between 2.1–2.5, the number of residential building floors should be 7–14, the road network density should be 4.16–4.50%, the green space ratio should be 20–35%, and the porosity should be 35–45%. Taking the three major power road communities in Harbin as an example, retrofit measures were decided by reference to relevant parameter control intervals, resulting in a 21.1% reduction in energy consumption, an approximate 32.7% reduction in carbon emissions, and a 7.3% reduction in the annual percentage of hours in extreme hot and cold environments.

The Existence of Traditional Handicrafts in Malang Raya as Part of Indonesian Cultural Heritage

Traditional handicrafts in Indonesia are one part of the seven elements of intangible cultural heritage based on the UNESCO Conference 2003. Currently, not everyone from the general public knows their area’s existence and types of traditional handicrafts. This study describes how the presence, number, and types of traditional handicrafts in Malang Raya are part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The research method used is a qualitative method with a descriptive type. The research location takes place in the Malang Raya region - including Malang City, Malang Regency, and Batu City. Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, documentation, and recording. Primary data sources in this study were obtained from direct sources, and secondary data sources were from documentation, reference books, and relevant research journals. The technique of collecting data sources in this research is using the snowball sampling technique. The data analysis used is qualitative data analysis, which includes three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. The results showed that traditional crafts in Malang Raya do still exist.. However, not many people know or are interested in these traditional crafts.
 Keywords: traditional handicrafts, Malang Raya, cultural herita

The biographies of 20th-century U.S. physician-writers as an educational resource for medical students

The purpose of the study is to analyze the educational and educational potential of the biographies of doctors-writers of the USA of the 20th century in the formation of hard and soft skills of students of higher medical education. Research methods: analysis, synthesis, systematization, generalization; search and bibliographic; analysis of literary sources; historical and comparative; biographical. The object of the study is the biographies of William Carlos Williams (1883–1963), Frank G. Slaughter (1908–2001), Richard Hooker (1924–1997), Allen Richard Seltzer (1928–2016) and Michael Crichton (1942–2008). Scientific novelty. The article substantiates the expediency of studying the biographies and elements of the literary heritage of doctors-writers of the USA of the 20th century for the purpose of comprehensive and harmonious development of students in medical universities. Conclusions. It is shown that getting acquainted with the biographies of outstanding doctors-writers of English-speaking countries during extracurricular educational activities contributes to the development of soft skills, as well as to the improvement of the communicative competence of students of higher medical education

Digital Color Images as a Tool for the Sustainable Use of Embroidery Elements from Folk Costumes

The aim of the research is to improve the public’s assessment and understanding of the cultural values and history of Bulgaria. The main issues related to the sustainable use of elements of the cultural heritage are defined, and the accessible literary sources related to the digitization of the folklore heritage are reviewed. Shape indices, color, and textural characteristics were obtained from digital color images of the elements of Bulgarian folk costumes. The most informative indices of these features were selected. A kernel variant of the principal component analysis (kPCA) method was used to reduce the data volume of the feature vector. A Naïve Bayes classifier, discriminant analysis, and the support vector method (SVM) were used for classification. The classification accuracy was assessed. In the analysis of the decorative elements of Bulgarian costumes, it was found that the accuracy of classification depended both on the method for reducing the volume of data and on the separability of the classes of data, depending on the classifier used. In the analysis of microscopic images of textile fabrics from Bulgarian costumes, it was found that the accuracy of classification for the studied objects depended both on the method for reducing the volume of data and on the used classifier. In the considered cases, a classification error below 10% was obtained using a non-linear kPCA kernel and SVM with a non-linear partition function. It was proven that the results of this development can be used in the creation of modern cross-stitch patterns, textile patterns, and clothing. The practical application of these research findings has the potential to benefit various stakeholders, including cultural heritage institutions, researchers, artisans, designers, and the general public, promoting a deeper appreciation and sustainable use of costume embroidery elements. Research can continue in the direction of the sustainable use and preservation of embroidery elements of Bulgarian costumes, enriching the understanding of cultural heritage and promoting appreciation for it in future generations.

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage for sustainable development. The case of traditional salt activity

PurposeThe authors have carried out a research project on artisanal salt activity in the Gulf of Cadiz, providing a new vision of the theories of intangible cultural heritage. The main objective has been to characterise artisanal salt activity in terms of its cultural and sustainable values, a perspective that had not been addressed until now. Moreover, the replacement of this activity by a more industrialised one has contributed to problems in the preservation of this heritage and a transformation of its places.Design/methodology/approachThe research has combined qualitative methodology, based on observation and fieldwork, with a statistical review of the phenomenon under study. Finally, the data has been triangulated to understand the heritage and sustainable value, as well as its historical evolution.FindingsAll this contributes to understanding the importance of artisanal salt activity as an element of the intangible cultural heritage of the region, for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable ways of life in the marshes of the Gulf of Cadiz, and the possibility of preserving it in the face of the problems of globalisation.Originality/valueTo date, there has been no research that combines sustainability and heritage in the field of salt activity. Likewise, until this study was carried out, there had been no research on salt activity from the perspective of intangible cultural heritage.

Research on the Application of Visual Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Design of Contemporary Cultural and Creative Products

The rapid development of global cultural creativity has made local culture and regional culture advocated, and intangible cultural heritage containing unique cultural genes and cultural values has become an important source of cultural creative design. Nanjing is a famous cultural city with a history of more than 2,500 years, rich in culture and art, and its wide variety of intangible cultural heritage with distinctive characteristics is also remarkable, which can become a creative source of cultural and creative products. The application of cultural elements from Nanjing's intangible cultural heritage to the design of cultural and creative products can enhance the cultural connotation and cultural uniqueness of products, and also provide new ideas for the inheritance of Nanjing's intangible heritage in modern society. Based on the premise of Nanjing's intangible cultural heritage, velvet flowers, this paper focuses on the application of intangible cultural heritage in the design of cultural and creative products. Firstly, the background, definition, attributes, and design status of cultural and creative products are analyzed. Secondly, the design principles and application methods of intangible heritage, velvet flowers, in cultural and creative products are summarized, and the extraction and transformation methods of cultural elements in the design of cultural and creative products are proposed. Then, the characteristics and value of Nanjing velvet flowers are summarized, and the feasibility of cultural and creative products as the inheritance path of Nanjing velvet flowers is discussed through the analysis of the current situation of Nanjing velvet flowers. Finally, the design practice of Nanjing velvet flower is carried out as an example to promote the inheritance and development of Nanjing's intangible cultural heritage.

Innovative Redesign of Mianzhu New Year Picture Products: A Path to Integrate Culture and Tourism

This research focuses on fostering the evolution of intangible cultural heritage, taking the case study of the Mianzhu New Year image, a respected element of Chinese cultural heritage. It investigates the potential for innovatively redesigning these image products to boost tourism appeal. The methodology is tripartite. In the initial phase, we probe the demand for a product redesign and seek methods to enhance it via the KANO-AHP model, offering design modification recommendations based on potential consumers' expectations. The second phase incorporates an examination of the cultural and artistic elements of the Mianzhu New Year image. Following a premeditated needs evaluation, the graphic design, form, content, and shape of the image are cultivated for innovation. The final stage encompasses a critique of the refined design. Here, the process is meticulously documented, and experts from product design, tourism, and cultural studies sectors measure the design's effectiveness. To derive valid data, we utilize intentional samples at each stage, applying qualitative or quantitative analyses corresponding to different stage characteristics. Thus, this project not only advances the innovative and transformative development of intangible cultural heritage but also offers insight into effectively merging culture and tourism. This research can provide a blueprint for similar cultural conservation initiatives globally, promoting heritage preservation through attention to local economic and tourism contexts.

Культурная апроприация: проблемы правового регулирования при создании результатов интеллектуальной деятельности

The article deals with the issues of cultural appropriation when using elements of ethno-cultural heritage in the context of intellectual property law. The authors note that the recognition of the cultural heritage of the multinational population of the country as a public domain does not exclude disputes related to cultural borrowing when creating the results of intellectual activity. Many people are interested in intangible cultural heritage: creative people in search of inspiration when creating intellectual property objects, the state to ensure cultural identity, entrepreneurs and representatives of creative industries in search of a business idea.

A structural equation modelling paradigm for eco-rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings

The study developed an integrated hierarchical structural equation modelling (SEM) for the eco-rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings (CHBs). The research method constituted 1) keyword-based mapping analysis, 2) questionnaire survey, and 3) model formulation using SEM. The model constituted three environmental parameters, corresponding criteria, and their relative importance weights (RIWs). This portrayed the efficient use of materials and resources (MR), indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and energy efficiency (EE), and ranked them to prioritize action. The results showed that MR, IEQ, and EE acquired RIWs of 33.03%, 32.28%, and 34.7%, respectively. For MR criteria level, heritage elements' integrity, material durability and resilience, and designing for adaptability attained RIWs of 8.67%, 8.12%, and 7.95%, respectively. For IEQ criteria level, heritage building age and condition, the efficiency of the ventilation system, as well as space function and activity, depicted RIWs of 15.34%, 13.33%, and 11.41%, mutually. For EE criteria level, interventions to attain an energy-efficient heritage building envelope, the efficiency of the electromechanical system, and installing smart systems for monitoring and control rendered RIWs of 15.59%, 15.01%, and 13.61%, consecutively. The study applied the proposed model to two distinct case study projects. The differences between them were evident at both the parameter and criteria levels due to either the inherent potentials or limitations of the project. Thus, the proposed model provided flexibility for application and promoted novel approaches for heritage conservationists, environmental engineers, and decision-makers to think, act, and respond to CHB eco-rehabilitation and adaptive reuse principles and practices.

СРПСКИ ДИЈАЛЕКТИ – ДОКУМЕНТИ О ТРАДИЦИЈИ НАШЕГ НАРОДНОГ ЖИВОТА И НЕИЗОСТАВНИ ДЕО КУЛТУРНОГ НАСЛЕЂА

Dialects, namely vernacular speeches as a segment of intangible cultural assets represent a significant part of the identity of a group or individual, who recognize them as the very essence of their identity and as an indispensable part of its cultural heritage. Due to all kinds of lifestyle changes, especially in rural areas, dialects are in danger of a accelerated transformation and devastation, where they are still preserved, and therefore should be placed high on the list of priorities in the implementation of protection measures elements of intangible national cultural heritage (speech recording and adequate storage first, and then research of the collected material and its presentation). The dialect lexicon is an extremely important representative of the traditional material, spiritual and social culture of the Serbian people. It is important to point out the validity of ethnographic data that can be indirectly read from linguistic lexical maps. Dialect lexicon is the fundus of Serbian vernacular speeches and because of that, its notation and research should be included in the UNESCO concept of preservation, protection and sustainability of intangible cultural heritage.

ISIS's impact on Syrian intangible cultural heritage: Marriage customs and rituals in the region of Manbij

ABSTRACT During its occupation of the Manbij region, ISIS targeted intangible cultural heritage, including marriage rituals. Through online semi-structured interviews with 12 participants, selected to represent the population of the region, this article explores the impact of ISIS’ rule on local marriage rituals and reveals the true motivations behind its targeting of intangible heritage, including small intangible practices. The study highlights the importance of marriage rituals, as they provide an opportunity for gathering, joy and connection between families, and an opportunity to express their cultural diversity. It shows the specific cultural impacts of conflict which left a significant lasting impact on the customs and rituals of marriage in the region. The study reveals that ISIS targeted intangible cultural heritage elements, including marriage rituals: it cancelled some completely, such as the henna night and wedding party, under the pretext that elements of the ritual had been haram (forbidden in Islam). However, we argue that the religious motivations were just a cover for a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating the culture and identity of communities, controlling them, and imposing a new culture and identity.

CRIMINAL LAW IN THE CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE CRIMES

The evolution of law follows the evolution of society and the socio-economic relations that generate legal relations. Lately, environmental crimes among which we mention: pollution, contamination with dangerous chemical substances of abiotic environmental factors; wildlife poaching; deforestation in violation of the forestry regime, etc., are frequent, entering a spectrum of everyday normality. At the same time, the poaching of cultural heritage is a new element that has come under the focus of criminal investigation bodies, although the trade in artefacts and priceless heritage values has been consumed for a long time. The Romanian authorities and legal specialists easily pass over existing cases affecting the environment and cultural heritage, as these important paradigms for humanity are not active subjects of law. The correction of some characters whose aim is to enrich themselves through the destruction of abiotic environmental factors and the sale of cultural heritage objects, can only be done in an organized and focused way, including through the development of a criminal code of the environment and cultural and natural heritage. The code will have to capture the existence of crimes in relation to the action or inaction of individuals and in relation to the legal ethical principles of the environment and heritage accepted by the international community, which gives more and more importance to this segment, which is imposed in constitutional law of the signatory countries of international conventions. Our material launches some ideas and puts into scientific debate the possibility of creating a unitary legal framework to prevent the destruction of elements of cultural and natural heritage and to protect the environment.

A web scrapping and AI approach for archeologists to analyze the ancient cities

Studies on machine learning have started to reach a level where we can save a great amount of time and labor by producing structures that can think as a human and have decisions. Deep learning, one of the methods of machine learning, is an artificial intelligence-training technique that can predict the outputs from the given dataset In this study, the use of web scraping technique was investigated to determine the potential of identifying ancient columns, which are one of the most important architectural elements of cultural heritage, by artificial intelligence. In this study, web scraping approach is presented as a digital data acquisition method for archaeology field to collect imagery datasets from web to analyze the ancient cities. For analysis, a free online, and easy-to-use tool ‘Amazon Rekognation’ is used for comparing the number of columns found in the scrapped images. For summarizing the research, simply, we have tried to get the answer the question from PC that ‘which site has the columns most, Perge, Xanthos or Phaselis?’. With this proposed approach, the archeologists can have a primarily knowledge about the sites they will study with use of operational tools for their further comprehensive research.