PATRIMOINE ETHNOGRAPHIQUE: CAPITAL SYMBOLIQUE
Ethnographical Heritage: Symbolic Capital

Summary/Abstract: Ethnographical Heritage: Symbolic Capital. UNESCO’s position on the protection of intangible cultural heritage, set out in the form of international treaties, bears witness to noble intentions. At the same time, in the various countries the disciplines dealing with subjects that can be classified under the concept of heritage interpret the notion of “heritage” in different ways. Ethnology in particular is in a special situation in those countries where from the 19th century popular culture played a part in constructing and maintaining the national culture. Right from the start the intention of maintaining tradition, assistance for this and the study of the processes of change themselves were part of this work of construction. This research tradition is itself an “intangible cultural heritage”. Hungarian ethnology, that has been familiar with and assisted many forms of the preservation of the values of popular culture for more than a century now has elaborated a set of concepts and theoretical considerations that cannot be identified unequivocally with the texts of UNESCO. Seeing the overview of the international literature, we also wish to encourage ethnologists to discuss considerations, concepts and practices that represent views differing from their own research traditions. This is part of the development of the discipline.

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