Reviving Cultural Heritage through the Eyes of Youth: A Personal Essay
As we progress with modernity, the world gets smaller, thanks to technology. Yet, our culture and heritage are getting left behind. Some argue that technology is the cause of the erosion of tradition, but from my experience, it is the lack of appreciation for culture. As the younger generation, we should take the initiative to revive our heritage and prevent it from becoming extinct.
Growing up, I was not initially interested in the customs and traditions passed down by my ancestors. However, my parents soon introduced them to me, and I was fascinated. As they shared stories of our family, including historical events that occurred in the past, I found myself drawn to it all. It made me realize that there is so much to learn and gain from our culture.
Sadly, many youths today are not interested in culture and heritage. Therefore, it is our responsibility to change this mindset. Some organizations have been at the forefront of cultural preservation. Still, more must be done to reignite young people’s passion for their culture and heritage.
One way to revive cultural heritage is by educating present and future generations. When people understand, appreciate, and relate to their culture, it helps break down stereotypes, and they are more likely to want to maintain or revive tradition. It would be an excellent idea to introduce cultural programs in schools and educational institutions. Museums and cultural exhibitions are also necessary, as they provide insight into historical events and cultural practices.
Another way to revive cultural heritage is by digitizing it. By creating a digital platform where culture and heritage can be stored, it can reach people globally, irrespective of their physical location. This platform could have images, artifacts, videos, and audio recordings that depict the traditional way of life. It could also be a platform for digital dialogues and engage young people in discussions on cultural appropriation and relevance.
Reviving our cultural heritage should also involve incorporating the culture and heritage in contemporary arts and entertainment. When performed in modern style, these cultural practices can attract young people’s attention, who may initially be less interested in traditional music, dance or art. The benefit of this approach is it helps pass on our culture to people who wouldn’t otherwise have been interested.
In summary, cultural heritage is a vital part of our identity and serves as a link to our past. To ensure we don’t lose this vital part of ourselves, we must take steps to revive it. We need to educate ourselves and others, digitize our heritage and promote it in contemporary ways. This way, we can preserve our legacy and pass it on to generations to come. As the younger generation, we have a significant role in promoting and reviving our culture, and we should embrace this responsibility.
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