Holocaust to Heritage

Culture Beyond Heirlooms

Culture is more than artifacts in a museum—it’s also language, tradition, and most importantly, identity. At UNESCO, the debate surrounding the protection of intangible heritage has revealed concerns about the erasure of history, both through time and through neglect.

Poland, scarred by the almost-total decimation of its Jewish community during the Holocaust, has taken a firm stance on historical preservation. To combat rising genocide denial, the delegate from Poland proposed the creation of a comprehensive database to document cultural losses and counter misinformation. Malta, on the other hand, shifted focus to physical heritage, highlighting the damage inflicted on historical sites by weathering. Their proposal to form a Mediterranean bloc for cultural preservation, emphasizing Roman history, ultimately failed to gain traction.

Beyond documentation, many delegates, such as Mauritius, emphasized education as the key to preserving both their own and global traditions. Iran, in a surprising turn, voiced strong support for the protection of religious minorities—an unexpected break from its usual policy stance. However, the flow of discussion was frequently hindered by Cameroon’s persistent filibustering, delaying meaningful progress on the floor.

But what does this mean for India? As a country rich in intangible heritage—from classical dance forms and regional dialects to oral epics passed down through generations—India has long championed cultural preservation. The nation remains committed to safeguarding linguistic diversity, as the many peoples and states push for the removal of Hindi as a national language. This is particularly apparent in the Southern region of India. At UNESCO, India has continued to push for policies that prioritize education and digital documentation, ensuring that its heritage is not lost to time. Ultimately, the challenge at UNESCO is not simply recognizing what must be preserved, but taking definitive steps to protect the histories, traditions, and identities that make up the essence of global culture.

Sources:

• UNESCO Poland

• UNESCO Malta

• UNESCO Iran

• UNESCO Mauritius

By Mitran Raja | 23 March 2025