International Conference on ‘Living Heritage’

On the 27th November Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO and The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) organized an 'International Conference on Living Heritage' at Sabhagaar Conference Hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur. The conference marks the first in a series of programmes and events that MMCF plans to organise under the theme of 'Living Heritage' in association with UNESCO New Delhi and ICOMOS India.

"MMCF now looks forward to a more objective oriented institutionalization of the concept of living heritage. The foundation aims to contribute to a large-scale systematic change with a focus on establishing a centre of excellence of living heritage at Udaipur. This collaboration is intended to strengthen the framework of Udaipur, its administration, civil society and people along with promoting the notion of living heritage at a global level," said Vrinda Raje Singh, CEO joint custodianship initiative MMCF.

The conference aims to present examples of living heritage with an objective to outlining a clear framework for promoting the concept of living heritage. Looking at living heritage, Udaipur the intent is to also look at other living heritage case studies in India and internationally. The idea is to outline a framework to promote living heritage. It would see active participation from representatives from Government of India, Government of Rajasthan, UNESCO, ICOMOS, IHCN-F, institutions, organisations and NGO.

Among the eminent speakers at the conference were Ms. Moe Chiba, Programme Specialist for Culture, UNESCO India, New Delhi; Ms. Marilyn Claire Truscott, President, International Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH) and ICOMOS, Australia. Also participating in the event were of Mr. K S Raykar, Director, Indian Heritage Cities Network - Foundation (IHCN - F), Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Trustee, MMCF and Dr. Shikha Jain, Principal coordinator, MMCF projects.

The ASI protects roughly 3,500 nationally-significant monuments with State archaeology departments looking after another 3,000. It is estimated that many more monuments are in need of attention. In India, historic precincts, sacred sites, temples and mosques all form part of the heritage resource.

Living Heritage needs a force to keep it alive. It is precisely about preserving everything of value that teaches us to treasure our past in the present and to safeguard it for the future. The dialogue is just the beginning.

Shriji lighting the lamp at the International
conference on ‘Living Heritage’

Mr. Raju Mansukhani initiating the first session of
the International Conference on ‘Living Heritage’

Ms. Moe Chiba, Programme Specialist for Culture,
UNESCO India, New Delhi

Ms. Marilyn Claire Truscott, President, International Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH) and ICOMOS, Australia