Cultural Heritage & Human Rights
A virtual exhibition that approaches the parallelisms, points of contact, and tension between Cultural Heritage and Human Rights.
Dyers (2016) by Carlos BurgosFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
When we think of Cultural Heritage, we think of monuments, sites, practices, knowledge, identity, and memory. Does it intertwine with Human Rights, freedoms, and duties? And if so, how?
Mosaics (2004) by Pedro SottomayorFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
Throughout this exhibition, we will address how Cultural Heritage can strengthen and - in some cases - undermine Human Rights. Explore the virtual gallery to discover more about this topic…
Cultural Heritage embodies who we are and where we come from. It can help tackle social inequalities, volatile international relations, and climate change. Therefore, Cultural Heritage can influence the future and make it fairer and more peaceful.
Triumphal Arch (Monument du Cinquantenaire). (2017) by Carlos BurgosFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
When we talk about Human Rights, we mean those inherent rights devoted to protecting the life, freedom, and dignity of every human being without any form of discrimination, based on race, color, sex; linguistic, religious, political, national, or social distinction.
Party in honor of Saint Gonçalinho. (2007) by Pedro SottomayorFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
The United Nations’ Universal Declaration (1948), the International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), Civil and Political ones (1966), form the International Bill of Human Rights. These fundamental rights and liberties are indivisible and interdependent.
Quilombola Community of Poconé’s dancing during Black Awareness Day. (2009) by Pedro SottomayorFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
The right to cultural life - framed in the 1966 International Covenants - illustrates how heritage can promote social inclusion. For instance, by ensuring that everyone engages in cultural practices of their choice while respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
New year’s eve celebration. (2015) by Dennis MitschkeFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
Cultural practices, rituals, and traditions are manifestations of the sense of self and collective identity. Ways of showing and celebrating who we are alone or together. They are vital for promoting cultural diversity, peacekeeping, and friendly ties among peoples.
Landscape. (2022) by Inês de Carvalho CostaFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
One of the principles of UNESCO’s Declaration of Rio on Environment and Development (1992) is the right to a healthy and productive life in partnership with nature. Yet, climate change has the potential to undermine this right.
Drought Landscape. (2020) by Inês de Carvalho CostaFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have a direct impact on Cultural Heritage and Human Rights, such as the rights to housing, food, education, medical assistance, security – and the most "basic" one – the right to life.
Campus Galli (2017) by Dennis MitschkeFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
Using sustainable resources in harmony with nature is rooted in Cultural Heritage. It can help protect Human Rights and fight climate change by prioritizing traditional building techniques and the economic progress of local communities while reducing the ecological footprint.
Roosters Fighting. (2007) by Pedro SottomayorFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
Some cultural practices can be harmful and imperil individuals, their fundamental rights, and freedoms. Can we rethink or adapt them to protect people, or would we be jeopardizing culture? Who has the legitimacy to make such decisions and which criteria should be applied?
Bucharest’s Palace of the Parliament in a changing landscape. (2022) by Miruna GãmanFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
This is a question whose answer depends on how a culture negotiates conflicting viewpoints and reaches a consensus that honors both individual and collective rights. Heritage selection must be done in accordance with each society’s values, needs, contemporary, and future goals.
Sociocultural, political, historical, and environmental factors influence morals – ideas of what is “right” or “wrong”–, our relationship with others and Cultural Heritage. They also shape perspectives about Human Rights, their adaptation, and compatibility with a given context.
Ritual. (2007) by Pedro SottomayorFaculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto
Regardless of the liberty to renounce one’s own rights, it is everyone’s duty to honor the fundamental freedoms and rights of others while respecting diversity among cultures.
We encourage you to learn about the topic and get actively involved in promoting both Cultural Heritage and Human Rights. Thank you for advocating for this cause and for fighting for a more egalitarian future.
Tap to explore
Coordination | Coordenação - Inês de Carvalho Costa and Maria Leonor Botelho.
Texts | Textos - Carlos Burgos Tartera, Dennis Mitschke, Elena-Maria Cautis, Inês de Carvalho Costa, Miruna Gãman, Juhi Valia, and William Long.
Photography | Fotografia - Carlos Burgos Tartera, Dennis Mitschke, Inês Costa, Miruna Gãman, Pedro Sottomayor.
Production | Produção - Diana Felícia.
Scientific Review | Revisão Científica - Marcos Olender.
Acknowledgments | Agradecimentos - This project is financed by FCT, the ESF+, the Portuguese Republic, and CITCEM-FLUP (UIDB/04059/2020), under the Ph.D. scholarship 2021.07318.BD, and supported by the HeritaGeeks | Este projeto é financiado pela FCT, pelo Fundo Social Europeu, pela República Portuguesa e pelo CITCEM-FLUP (UIDB/04059/2020) - através da bolsa de Doutoramento nº 2021.07318.BD -, sendo apoiado pelos HeritaGeeks.
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