When someone mentions the word “heritage”, we generally picture a historic building. However, a series of events in Napier encouraged me to look deeper into the idea of “living heritage”. These gatherings and creative endeavours illustrate that heritage is not just preserved in buildings but actively sustained through community traditions, artistic expression, and the ongoing participation of people who bring history to life with their hands and hearts.
On International Quilting Day, in March, Hanna Kemp hosted a vibrant quilt exhibition. The NGK Church Hall was transformed by an array of colourful quilts, demonstrating the creativity and stories woven into local tradition. At the same time, Alex Hamilton’s “Dapple” exhibition at the Napier Gallery displayed contemporary art, and I discovered the Napier Craft Club, a hub of community activity that has thrived for two decades.
National Heritage Resources Act
Heritage is a living concept, embracing tangible and intangible elements that shape and sustain our cultural identity, as in the National Heritage Resources Act (1999). The definitions in the act list, among other items:
Objects to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage.
Ethnographic art and objects
Military objects
Objects of decorative or fine art.
Books, records, documents, photographic positives and negatives, graphic, film or video material or sound recordings, excluding those that are public record.
Preservation and maintenance
The living heritage approach emphasises the continuity of cultural practices and community engagement in the preservation and management of heritage sites. It focuses on maintaining and reviving the original functions of heritage sites while ensuring they remain active and relevant within their communities.
This approach recognises that while heritage is about preserving physical structures, it is also about sustaining the traditions, practices, and social connections that give these sites their meaning.
Key principles include:
- Continuity of function: Heritage sites should continue to serve their original purposes or adapt to new functions that reflect the community’s needs.
- Community involvement: Local communities play a crucial role in the care and management of living heritage. Their knowledge, practices, and traditions are integral to the heritage’s ongoing relevance.
- Adaptation and change: The living heritage approach embraces change as a natural part of cultural evolution. Heritage is seen as dynamic, allowing for the incorporation of new expressions and practices while respecting traditional values.
A thought and a question
Living Heritage encompasses festivals, events, rituals, and traditional crafts, emphasising ongoing community engagement rather than mere static preservation. It aims to guide provincial and municipal policymakers in conserving our heritage by promoting collaborative decision-making that involves community members.
The questions I am considering are: Do all residents of Napier understand and embrace the Living Heritage approach? Are all residents, both old and new, playing a role in keeping heritage alive, relevant, and vibrant today?