Authenticity of Cultural Heritage: Relativistic Perspective

Abstract

The paper analyses one of the most problematic and relevant categories in contemporary heritage protection – authenticity. It seeks to establish a common denominator (model) for authenticity concepts, which could help define the place and meaning of category in the phenomenon of heritage protection. The establishment of the model is encumbered by the prevailing ethnocentric attitude towards the phenomenon – in many studies, due to the lack of relativistic and comparativistic approach, a subjective authenticity concept of one society is presented as universal and objective. It is namely the perception of relativity of authenticity concepts that helps to distance oneself from subjective interpretations of the phenomenon in question and to identify common denominators of the category.
The idea of compatibility should be considered the foundation of heritage
authenticity category, that is, the comparison of the present (the object which is here and now) with the ideal state. Specific heritage protection programs differ in what is chosen as the basis for compatibility. It could be the past, an aesthetic cannon, traditional pattern of life, etc. Besides, relativistic perspective discloses eurocentrical nature of international heritage protection principles. Regardless of the above stated generality of heritage protection principles, 21st century is still known for embracing heritage protections, which are incompatible with the European heritage protection, based on materialistic concept of authenticity. The most vivid examples could be the Japanese heritage protection, based on cognition (knowledge) authenticity, and heritage protection of North American countries, based on authenticity of significance. Besides, the analysis of authenticity concept in the course of time makes us reflect on the paradigmatic concept of heritage protection.
Relativism today is not merely a theoretical principle – starting with the 90–ies of last century attempts have taken to consolidate it as a factor of heritage protection practice. This principle manifests itself as recognition of variety of approaches towards heritage protection. Nevertheless, it raises new challenges to heritage protection, such as resolution of conflicts related to intersection of various approaches towards the same object.