[Special contribution] "You can't swim in petroglyphs, a cultural heritage
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[Special contribution] "You can't swim in petroglyphs, a cultural heritage
(http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130613/55823430/1)
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Registration date: 2013/06/13 03:00:00
Special contribution by the Special Advisor to UNESCO, Bushenaki
Recently, the hottest potato in the cultural industry is the preservation of Bangudae Petroglyphs in Ulsan.
Although it has been a controversy for more than a decade, the controversy over Bangudae is getting more complicated as opinions of the Cultural Heritage Administration and Ulsan City are sharply divided and civic groups as well as politicians join. Above all, as the summer rainy season approaches, Bangudae is in a position to be submerged again. This is why Munir Bushenaki, a 70-year-old UNESCO special adviser, sent a special report to the Dong-A Ilbo.
He said, "I hope that the case of preserving Portuguese Poscoa petroglyphs, which suffered a similar controversy, will help Koreans find a solution to hemisphere." Born in Algeria, Buchenaki is a world cultural tycoon who served as the UNESCO Secretary-General and the Director-General of the International Center for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties. He also received the National Medal of Honor from France and Italy.
It is also a close faction that has defined Goguryeo tombs scattered in China as a Korean heritage and expressed continued interest in restoring Sungnyemun.
Reporter Jung Yang-hwan [email protected]
The story of the Portuguese Poscoa site, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, began in 1991. At the time, the Portuguese government had decided to build a dam near the ruins in the Coa River valley after a long review. However, after examining the valley, the situation became complicated when petroglyphs with thousands of people and livestock began to be found.
The Poscoa Valley has become more archaeological as research continues. During the research process, not only Neolithic but also petroglyphs believed to be in some Paleolithic periods appeared. When Portuguese scholar Dr. Nelson Havanda opened some petroglyphs to the public, they attracted global attention. Professor Jean-Claude, who led the Prehistoric Petroglyphs Committee at the International Council of Monuments (ICOMOS), remembers, "It is probably the first time that the preservation of petroglyphs has aroused so much interest and passion in Europe."
But the situation was not good. The construction of the dam in 1994 was being carried out, ignoring the results of scholars' research. This has caused tremendous opposition within Portugal as well. As the controversy spread, the Portuguese government asked ICOMOS to send experts for objective verification. The due diligence team led by Professor Claude visited the site and announced that it would be "at least the largest outdoor prehistoric remains in Europe." If the dam construction continues, there was a high possibility that such petroglyphs would be submerged. Foreign media, including the New York Times in the U.S. and the British Times, have poured out articles that are concerned about this.
Later, experts from various fields headed to Portugal to preserve the ruins of Poscoa. I, who was in charge of cultural heritage at UNESCO at the time, Alain Bunin, director of the French Center for Architectural and Public Works, Dr. Jacques Brunet of the National Institute of Historic Monuments, and Philip Mallorin, a hydrologist at Bordeaux University, participated.
At that time, the international inspection team had an unusual meeting. It was a meeting with President Marius Soares at the Lisbon Presidential Palace. President Soares wanted to hear UNESCO's unabated opinion on the Poscoa ruins. Listening to the importance of preservation, he said, "Portugal is not a rich country, but people can make economic sacrifices to protect prehistoric remains. "I will not let the petroglyphic heritage sink into the water," he vowed. The slogan, which was later distributed to Portuguese secondary schools, read this phrase. 'The Carvings can't swim.'
In view of the importance of the matter, a due diligence report was prepared and sent to the Portuguese government in three weeks. To briefly mention it, first of all, the construction of an on-site museum was proposed to study historical sites and prepare an information center. It also called for the construction of a national park that preserves the beauty of the environment around the Koa River valley. In addition, he advised that by opening the ruins to the public in terms of cultural tourism, it is possible to raise funds to cover the costs incurred by the cancellation of the dam construction.
Above all, the report emphasized that the rarity of the Poscoa ruins and the existence of old and Neolithic petroglyphs have irreplaceable values. UNESCO has already consistently demanded that World Heritage be protected as it is in 1968 through its "Recommendation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage at Risk due to Public or Private Construction." If the valley overflows due to the dam construction, human cultural heritage will be submerged.
Eventually, Prime Minister Antonio Guterres announced in 1995 that he would postpone the construction of the dam until the value of the potential ruins was properly established. It was also made clear that the construction will be completely scrapped as soon as the importance of the site is confirmed. The Portuguese government's decision was completely in line with UNESCO's opinion. This remained the "first major case" in the world that abolished economically important projects to preserve cultural heritage.
The domestic and international movement to preserve petroglyphs against the construction of dams has won a remarkable victory. However, the decision has forced Portugal to pay 150 million dollars in tax losses from the dam construction. This is by no means an easy decision. The Portuguese people risked it for them and the future of the World Heritage.
In 1998, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee evaluated the Poscoa ruins as "an excellent heritage that shows the rapid bloom of human genius creativity at the dawn of cultural development." UNESCO was willing to register petroglyphs as a World Heritage Site, which highlights the social, economic, and spiritual life of early human ancestors.
Although it went through a difficult and difficult process, it was special to find a way for a cultural heritage to be recognized and preserved together. Let's remember one thing. Petroglyphs cannot swim.