Cultural property

Cultural property is in common usage according to Duden:

It is thus clear that cultural does not have to be bound to matter. However, a resistance is required.

The entirety of cultural property is as Cultural heritage or cultural heritage ( cultural heritage ) called. In addition to the in rem objects, for example, the international UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world 's documentary heritage or protected as Registered cultural archive items such as the Peters Music Library this includes, in particular, are not bound to objects estates of the intangible cultural heritage, including the oral traditions.

Word origin

The concept of héritage (French for "Heritage " ) was coined by the Bishop of Blois, Henri -Baptiste Grégoire, end of the 18th century.

What counts as a cultural asset?

The concept of cultural property is used in German-speaking diverse. It includes both movable and immovable property as well. Cultural goods are usually of archaeological, historical, literary, artistic and / or scientific importance. " Cultural goods " or " heritage" can be both holdings of libraries, archives and museums and buildings ( monuments such as churches, monasteries, castles ) or archaeological monuments. Since the 1960s, works of technical culture are increasingly recognized as a cultural ( for example, historical production, transport, etc. ). Cultural goods often come from the high culture, but they can also to popular culture, popular culture and industrial culture are.

Often the term is used when it comes to the " receipt " of preserving or worth protecting cultural property or the shares will be or imminent "loss" in wars during major disasters or by receiving stolen antiques.

Legal language

In legal language " cultural property" in different contexts, such as in the Federal Republic of Germany in the " Cultural Protection Act " appears ( Act on Protection against German cultural emigration), which applies only to movable cultural predominantly in private hands. Heritage protection and conservation are closely related. In Switzerland, the concept of treasures from the " Cultural Property Transfer Act " is ( implementing legislation of the UNESCO Convention of 1970 ) was used.

The protection of cultural heritage is diverse. As a task of civil defense is described in the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict. Buildings receive a certificate status " Legitimate heritage" and are marked with a blue-white diamond sign. In the Federal Republic, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance ( BBK ) is responsible for implementing the measures.

European Heritage Label

On April 28, 2006, several Member States of the European Union in Granada, Spain, an intergovernmental initiative to the European Heritage Label have launched. The Council of the European Union on 20 November 2008 supports this initiative and asked the EU Commission to submit a proposal for the creation of a European Heritage Label by the European Union and to define the practical modalities for the implementation of this project. On 16 November 2011, the European Parliament and of the Council approved the creation of an action for the European Heritage Label. The seal must strive to add value and seek to complement other initiatives such as the UNESCO World Heritage List, the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the initiative of the Council of Europe ( European Culture Street ). A European panel of 13 independent experts will be set up for this purpose and to carry out the selection and control at the level of the EU.