UNESCO, Merundoi host workshop to combat threats to Guyana’s cultural heritage

As persons recognise the importance of preserving cultural heritage passed down from previous generations— developments in modern society, such as social media, have been identified as one of the main hurdles reducing the effectiveness of these critical efforts.

As such, UNESCO, in collaboration with Merundoi, is currently hosting a workshop in Guyana, with the aim of combating these threats.
On Wednesday, the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO, in collaboration with UNESCO Kingston Cluster Office for the Caribbean and Merundoi Incorporated, commenced a workshop aimed at preserving Guyana’s cultural heritage.
Specifically, the workshop is on the Ratification of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage. This three-day event brings together stakeholders, and will highlight the significance of culture in the lives of communities and individuals.
Delivering the feature address at the workshop’s opening ceremony was Dean and Senior Lecturer at the University of Guyana, Al Creighton, who also currently serves as the Director of the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama in Guyana. According to Creighton, in Guyana, cultural heritage is under threat owing to progressive developments in modern society.
“We are facing major threats… over recent time, and some of these threats have come from what some would may regard as some of the more progressive developments in modern society: technology, the technological age, the new alternative sources, the new alternative modes of entertainment, and particularly, the very powerful social media.”
Notably, Creighton highlighted that a lack of interest in cultural practices among the younger population could severely weaken preservation efforts.
“One of the main tasks that faces this particular attempt at preservation is catching the attention and catching the imagination of the youth. And this, the new generation, you may want to say the now generation, have to get their attention. We have to get that attention in order to halt the march of the disappearance of so many items of cultural heritage.”
Moreover, Creighton stressed how the significance of several local events and practices such as dig dutty, wake and masquerade have dwindled over the years.
Also present at the event was head of Culture Programme for the UNESCO office for the Caribbean, Yuri Peskhov, who highlighted the importance of countries safeguarding their cultural identity.
“The significance of culture in the lives of communities and individuals is an anchor for identity and belonging, makes a continuity as a powerful tool for building resilience and serving as the basis for sustainable development.”
He added, “So, we think that the potential ratification of the Living Heritage Convention by Guyana would be a critical step forward, acknowledging the importance of safeguarding its precious heritage on the national level and thereby contributing to advancing national sustainable development.”
The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage recognises in its panel the importance of living heritage as a driver of cultural diversity and as a signal of sustainable development.
Special emphasis lies in the recognition and protection of indigenous communities as they play an important role in the production, safeguarding, maintenance, and recreation of the living heritage, thus helping to enrich the cultural diversity and self-respect of the communities from which they originate.