UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION OFFICE for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation in MOSCOW

ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ОБЪЕДИНЕННЫХ НАЦИЙ ПО ВОПРОСАМ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ, НАУКИ И КУЛЬТУРЫ БЮРО по Азербайджану, Армении, Беларуси, Грузии, Республике Молдова и Российской Федерации в МОСКВЕ

UNESCO Moscow Office

Message on the Occasion of the Special Experts’ Meeting of the World Heritage Convention: THE CONCEPT OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE

Kazan (Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation) 6-10 April 2005

Your Excellency Mr President, Honourable Mayor of Kazan, Distinguished Experts, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor and a privilege for me to address you on behalf of the UNESCO Moscow Office on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Special Experts’ Meeting of the World Heritage Convention devoted to the Concept of Outstanding Universal Value.

Thanks to the hospitality of the Republic of Tatarstan and the city of Kazan our meeting is taking place in one of the most beautiful World Heritage Cities that will celebrate its Millennium Anniversary this year. As any historical venue the city of Kazan in its own image symbolizes the dialogue of cultures; the diversity and unity of religions and cultures; the integrative unanimity of tangible and intangible heritage.

The last major trend is the development of the notion of heritage, which has broadened over the last few decades. From the simple preservation of historic monuments to the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in 1972, from the recognition of the intangible, symbolic and spiritual heritage to the Convention on Safeguarding of the intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2003.

The accelerated innovative rhythms of the contemporary culture with their forces of the ‘total change of the world’ demand additional attention to traditions and universal value of heritage. It is a time “to pay attention to the totality of cultural heritage of nations and communities so that protection measures are not only adapted to each component but also mutually supportive where possible”.

In that regard, the development of cooperation between the two major UNESCO Conventions dealing with the protection and safeguarding of the tangible and intangible heritage is of outmost importance. An integrated approach, which respects the diversity of cultures and which acknowledges the interdependencies of tangible and intangible heritages should be studied and translated into concrete measures of implementation.

The UNESCO Office in Moscow as a cluster office for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation has a wonderful opportunity not only to be acquainted with the uniqueness and richness of the cultural heritage of each cluster country, but to be also actively involved in the development of partnerships on different levels for protection and safeguarding of their heritage, both tangible and intangible.

Bolshoi Levshinsky per., 15/28, bld. 2, 119034 Moscow, Russia Большой Левшинский пер., 15/28, стр. 2, 119034 Москва, Россия Tel./Тел.: (7.095) 202.80.97/81.66/87.59 Sat. fax/Сат. факс: (7.503) 956.36.66 Fax/Факс: (7.095) 202.05.68 Internet: http://www.unesco.ru E-mail: [email protected] http://www.culture.of.peace.ru

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I am glad to note that all our cluster countries are very active and supportive in promotion of the both UNESCO Conventions for the protection and safeguarding of the tangible and intangible heritage.

The significance of the World Heritage Convention of 1972 has increased steadily over the past years. The everyday protection of cultural and natural heritage sites of "outstanding universal value" is more relevant than ever, in particular in times of civil unrest, military conflicts and ongoing destruction.

The World Heritage Convention is unique, in combining the protection of the works of the human creative genius and the evolutionary work of nature. Continuing efforts to communicate the value of the world's outstanding cultural and natural heritage are required not only to encourage new signatories to the Convention, but also to promote the beneficial protective provisions of the Convention to all citizens of the world. World Heritage should become a symbol for promoting solidarity and universal values common to the generations of the past, of today, as well as those of tomorrow.

As it was mentioned by the Director General Mr Matsuura “UNESCO defends the case of indivisibility of culture and development, understood not simply in terms of economic growth, but also as a means of achieving a satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence. This development may be defined as that set of capacities that allows groups, communities and nations to define their futures in an integrated manner.”

It is difficult to overestimate the timeliness and necessity of the Conventions implementation due to the globalization processes taking place all over the world especially when the cultural and natural, tangible and intangible heritage becomes a reliable and efficient basis for the preservation and strengthening of cultural diversity and ethnic originality. And it is of highest importance that participating states and their government bodies play the leading role in the safeguarding and support these heritage which unlike pop-art and show-business lacks interest of sponsors and patrons.

The values of each particular culture have not been developed by axiological theories, but rather through the accretion of life experiences and the living memory of generations. The uniqueness of national cultures is determined by the specificity of their unique historical experiences. Each culture interprets fundamental human values in its own way. In addition, each culture forms a certain hierarchy of values, in which (as long as the culture is alive) the distinction between the “higher” and “lower” values constitutes a significant principle. To elaborate the Concept of Outstanding Universal Value is undoubtedly rather challenging task because the Uniqueness is a real essence of cultural and ‘natural’ creativity.

As the Background document of our meeting emphasizes “Outstanding universal value in the context of the implementation of the World Heritage Convention means cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. As such, the permanent protection of this heritage is of the highest importance to the international community as a whole.”

The Convention’s credibility relies on the relentless efforts of the people involved for the protection of heritage. Its prestige and eminence spring from their ability to communicate and demonstrate the universal importance of heritage in relation to others, which together symbolize the

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achievements of human civilization(s). Thus, implementing the Convention means showing respect for other cultures and supporting intercultural dialogue.

Before concluding, I would like to mention once more: It was nonrandom, that Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, the city of ancient history and the crossroad of cultural diversity became a place of holding of such an important International meeting. As you know, on December, 2004 the UNESCO Regional meeting for the Promotion of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for Europe and North America was held also in Kazan. The representatives of Ministries of Culture and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of 25 countries of Europe and North America participated in the meeting. It was well organized and fully met its goals: the ratification process of this Convention is now well on its way.

The active interest of Kazan City for the protection of both the tangible and the intangible cultural heritage in fact forms part of an ongoing and balanced program. All these activities made Kazan an important centre of international cooperation in the cultural field and have promoted Kazan and Tatarstan worldwide.

In closing, allow me to express my best wishes for the success of the Special Experts’ Meeting of the World Heritage Convention devoted to the better understanding of the Concept of Outstanding Universal Value and its application in the context of the convention.

Thank you.

Liubava Moreva Programme Officer for Culture of the UNESCO Moscow Office 6/04/2005