FROM Northumbrian clog dancing to Chinese dragon quilts and African tribal art, experts in the North East are embarking on an ambitious project to help preserve cultural heritage from around the world.
A small team of researchers from Newcastle University are aiming to create an international database, which will be used to record cultural information and also serve as a practical tool to document culture out in the field.
The project, believed to be the largest of its kind, has received almost £800,000 in funding from the European Commission and will involve communities in England, China, South America and Africa.
The team plan to pay particular attention to safeguarding heritage considered at risk, such as traditional dances or songs.
“As far as we are aware, this is the first time something like this has been attempted,” said Dr Aron Mazel, co-leading the project with colleague Gerard Corsane in the university’s International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies.
“There are other databases out there, but nothing this extensive that can also be used as a collection tool.
“This is not simply an academic pursuit; it involves working with people on the ground to ensure important cultural heritage is preserved for generations to come.”
Among the subjects included in the project are arts and craft, traditional skills, languages, poems and stories, traditions, ceremonies and rituals, and music, songs and dance.
An international travelling exhibition will highlight some of the key items collected during the project, along with the importance of safeguarding these cultures.
The database will include the origins and history of each item, including details such as its purpose and significance and any threats to its continued existence.
One of the key themes of the project is to bring people together from the different countries through a series of workshops and exchange visits.
Mr Corsane said: “You can never fully experience other people’s culture unless you are actually there and you can almost see them turning the experience over in their minds and really taking it all in.
“We might talk in different languages and have different issues to face but we all have similar challenges when it comes to safeguarding our heritage and can hugely benefit from working together.”
Three students from each of the participating countries will also be offered a place on a masters course within the university’s International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies.
“This is an excellent opportunity to further Newcastle’s links with the rest of the world,” added Dr Mazel.
Partner organisations involved in the project are Hainan Provincial International Cultural Exchange Centre in China, Iwokrama International Centre in Guyana, and the Center for Heritage Development in Africa, which is based in Kenya.
The project is due to run until September 2013.
