BarcelonaThe ARA and the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC) have organized this Tuesday a debate entitled Do we really know Catalan heritage?, with the participation of the anthropologist Albert Moncusí and the archaeologist Marta Prevosti. “Heritage is a star theme of this house”, said the president of the IEC, Teresa Cabré, just before the start of a conversation moderated by ARA journalist Sílvia Marimon Molas. One of the successes of the debate was the composition of the table, which brought together archaeological and anthropological perspectives, and authoritative points of view on material and immaterial realities.
To set concepts, Prevosti has defined heritage as “that of the past that we want to preserve in the present and that we want to bequeath to future generations”. As “the backbone of the community”, heritage is framed in “common values that identify us, root us and give us a sense of belonging”. Moncusí has broadened the framework by remembering that heritage is not an immutable story, but is enriched with new realities and narratives not only institutional, but also through “popular associations”. “Who decides that a heritage is important? An institution, an entrepreneur, a town, an association… A heritage is important because it is important to someone”, says Moncusí.
Stretching this thread, Prevosti, who is an expert in Roman archaeology, regrets that “we live in a materialistic society in which economic values are hegemonic, over cultural ones”. As an example, remember that the Spanish government, through the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, has announced a subsidy of more than 200 million euros for projects to improve historical heritage with tourist use. “The heritage that can have an economic return is sponsored, and that which does not have this interest does not receive a subsidy”, says Prevosti.
Regarding the preservation of heritage, both agree that “not everything can be preserved”. “It must be decided based on the meaning, whether it is unique or not, the value it has for the community. You need to find a balance. Not everything can be preserved, but neither should we mortgage the archaeological heritage. It can’t be that we don’t have an entire Roman villa in the coastal areas”, said Prevosti, who recalled the ravages of the country’s touristic urbanization. For Moncusí, “the best guardian of heritage is each one with his conscience”. “And if you don’t build a collective consciousness there is nothing to do”, added the anthropologist, who does not forget that for a long time the ethnological heritage has been neglected.
“To build heritage, you first need to know, because if you don’t have knowledge, you won’t know if something is heritage or not,” added the archaeologist, who approves outreach initiatives such as virtual or immersive exhibitions. “If they are done rigorously, the recreations can be fantastic. For example, a well-made and well-commented Roman recreation, with an inevitable touch of fantasy, can be very valid for people who are not used to interpreting archaeological remains,” he explained Prevosti. Sílvia Marimon Molas has taken the opportunity to recommend the new permanent exhibition of the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia, Imperium Roman stories, which makes rigorous use of technological resources. “Yes, the Archeological is highly recommended,” confirmed Prevosti.
Source: www.ara.cat
