Marble Collective’s Post

Turkic states have a great historical heritage and immense potential for cultural integration. Primarily, it encompasses our language, followed by our culture, and finally, our traditions and lifestyle. It is essential for us to uphold our identity,” said Raev, a prominent literary figure of the Kyrgyz Republic, who was elected as TURKSOY Secretary General in March 2022. Sultan Raev. Photo credit: turksoy.org. Headquartered in the Turkish capital of Ankara, TURKSOY serves as a bridge for promoting cultural collaboration and solidarity among Turkic-speaking nations and beyond. It is often referred to as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of the Turkic World. Over 30 years, the organization has fortified cooperation among member states and solidified its presence in the international arena. The activities of TURKSOY align with the Turkic World Vision 2040, the strategic document based on four pillars – preparedness, resilience, capacity for adaptation, and transformation. The organization has developed a wide range of transnational projects of all cultural directions. One of them is the annual announcement of the cultural сapital of the Turkic world. In 2012, Astana became the first city to be announced as its center,” he said. Since then, the project has spotlighted the cultural landmarks of 12 cities of its member states. This year, the small Turkmen town of Anau, located eight kilometers from the country’s capital Ashgabat, has become a new focal point of Turkic culture. Kazakhstan was the next destination on Raev’s itinerary after he visited Turkmenistan. In 2024, the city of Anau will become a venue for the fourth international Korkut Ata Film Festival. https://lnkd.in/de9pqhmc

Policy Update: Newly launched Qingdao Recommendations call for international collaboration to return artifacts lost or obtained through unjust means under colonialism. The Qingdao Recommendations emerged from the latest convening of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA). This policy encourages inclusive international dialogue and will guide decolonization efforts in China and abroad. The AC applauds China's commitment to address colonial injustices through international collaboration. Read more about the policy: https://lnkd.in/e4f9gQNT We hope the countries of Asia and the world will carry this momentum forward by developing proactive policy to prevent future cultural crimes associated with the looting and trafficking of art and antiquities. In her 2023 publication, AC Founder and Chairman Deborah Lehr discusses China's potential as a world leader in fight to stop the illicit trade of artifacts: https://ow.ly/nzrX50SsqTm The AC's statements at the 2024 China-Europe-America (CEA) Museums Cooperation Dialogue further reflect on the importance of international cooperation in the museum sector. Find out more: https://ow.ly/CRPY50SsqTn

CULTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION RENOVATION, BY MEANS OF CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS. INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING, CULTURAL AND PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE

📣 We are thrilled to announce that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is launching once again this year an Open Call for cultural activities in Morocco within the framework of the International Cultural Policy. We invite cultural professionals and institutions in the Netherlands to submit project proposals in the field of cultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Morocco. 🇳🇱🇲🇦 Projects may be eligible if they meet the following criteria: 🤝 Contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Morocco and the Netherlands. 🎭 Development of project proposals by at least one Moroccan and one Dutch partner, each with clearly defined roles within the project. 🎨 Execution of projects in Morocco and/or the Netherlands.   *All cultural disciplines are eligible. Priority is given to projects in the fields of: design, digital culture, museum studies, performing arts, music, material and immaterial heritage, visual arts and/or literature. Multidisciplinary projects are also welcomed with interest.*   ⏰ Deadline: Saturday, May 25th at 23:59.   📝 For full details on application criteria and procedures: https://lnkd.in/eJGGHawa Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

Is Europe's cultural diversity its strength or a hurdle to unity? While our rich background of traditions, languages, and histories is undeniably valuable, it can also be a source of division. Could a common EU policy for cultural heritage be the bridge we need? By protecting and promoting shared monuments, traditions, and stories, we may forge a stronger sense of European identity, while still preserving our unique national cultures. This is not a simple solution, but it's a conversation worth having. #CulturalHeritage #EuropeanIdentity #EUPolicy

Recent discussions about the acquisition of Chinese artifacts by Western museums have reignited debates about cultural heritage, repatriation, and the complexities of historical power dynamics. Consider, for instance, the case of the gifts from Dewa Gede Raka, the King of Gianyar in Bali, to Dutch colonial officials in 1903. This example provides an interesting counterpoint to the narrative of outright plunder or theft. Key points to consider: 1. Context of Power Imbalance: Dewa Gede Raka had requested his kingdom become a Dutch protectorate in 1900. This decision was made amidst complex regional politics and power struggles with neighboring kingdoms. The gifts came three years after his installation as stedehouder (viceroy) by the Dutch. 2. Nature of the Gifts: The king presented three identical sets of 20 objects each, differentiated by the materials used (ranging from silver to gold), to the Governor General, the resident of Bali and Lombok, and the local controleur. This hierarchical gifting acknowledged the status of each recipient. 3. Voluntary vs. Coerced: While these gifts were ostensibly voluntary, we must question the true nature of "voluntariness" in a colonial context. Was this genuine goodwill, or a calculated move to secure political favor? 4. Cultural Significance: The gifts included items like rings, betel nut shears, tobacco boxes, and traditional textiles - objects of cultural significance. Their transfer to Dutch hands and eventually to museums raises questions about the appropriate custodianship of cultural artifacts. 5. Shared Heritage: Today, parts of this collection are housed in both Indonesian and Dutch museums, exemplifying the concept of "shared heritage." But does this sharing equally benefit both nations? This case, like the recent findings about Chinese artifacts, complicates our understanding of how cultural objects entered Western collections. It challenges us to consider: - How do we define "cooperation" or "consent" in situations of vast power inequality? - What motivations might drive a leader to "willingly" part with cultural treasures? - How do we balance respect for historical agreements with contemporary ethics and values? - In what ways does the concept of "shared heritage" serve or fail to serve the interests of formerly colonized nations? As we grapple with calls for repatriation and debates over the rightful ownership of cultural artifacts, it's crucial that we approach these discussions with nuance and cultural sensitivity. We must consider not just the letter of historical agreements or gifts, but the broader context in which they were made. #CulturalHeritage #Anthropology #MuseumEthics #Repatriation #SharedHeritage #PostcolonialStudies https://lnkd.in/gtv6uDJm

🗓️ September is the month of the #EuropeanHeritageDays #HaDEA-managed projects are contributing to the digitisation of cultural heritage through #CEFTelecom and #DigitalEuropeProgramme. Read our article to learn more! 🔗👉https://lnkd.in/evPtfSHq #SuccessStories

Fascinating article about multilingualistic Montreal versus unilingual & francophone Quebec and the impacts these identities and perspectives are playing out through policy within the city & province.

In a significant step towards cultural preservation, nearly 30 states have pledged support for UNESCO's efforts to recover Ukraine's cultural sector. This commitment was made during the International Conference for the Recovery of the Cultural Sector of Ukraine, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, and initiated by Lithuania. #Culturalheritagerestoration #internationalsupportUkraine #recoveryculturalsector #Ukraineartistssupport #Ukraineculturalsector #Ukraineculturalsites #Ukrainerecoveryefforts #UNESCOactionplan #UNESCOsupportUkraine #thxnews