Geopolitical changes and cultural vulnerability: Analyzing the influence on community resilience and heritage sites

Abstract

Geopolitics can have a significant impact on historical monuments, by destroying them, protecting them, managing them, and promoting them internationally. During armed conflicts or geopolitical tensions, historical monuments can become targets of vandalism by tactical protest. This may be the result of a desire to erase the symbols of a certain culture or to discredit an enemy. On the other hand, geopolitics can also protect monuments, by recognizing them as world heritage by organizations such as UNESCO, which can contribute to their conservation and restoration. Some historical monuments need restoration and conservation work to keep them in good condition. Governments and international organizations may allocate financial resources to these projects, and the allocation of these funds may be influenced by geopolitical interests. For example, certain countries may wish to support restoration projects of monuments in allied countries or with which they have special relations in order to strengthen their influence or promote their image internationally. The present paper wishes to highlight the impact of armed conflicts on cultural heritage and the need to update general strategies of cultural identity and community resilience, accepted and adopted worldwide.

Keywords

• heritage sites
• environment
• geopolitics
• war
• vandalism
• community
• cultural identity
• resilience-building