Page 21 - 2022 UNESCO ICDH Newsletter_vol.3

Anji Kim
Column For some time, heritage was focused on are developing funds and projects to strengthen
its tangible legacy under limited access, mainly capacity for digitization.
through museum exhibitions and window glances. When we say digitization, some may consider
Creating innovative methods With conservation and preservation at its peak of it as a simple process, but in reality, it requires a
priority, this may have been the most accessible sophisticated level of treatment, high-technology
in delivering the value of method. Especially when one considers the devices, and well-trained experts to proceed with
characteristics of documentary heritage, the state the digital scanning of million pages over centuries
of preservation is a vital process. Maintenance old. Not only does digitizing end with scanning
Memory of the World and management of the substance, either paper, but can stretch out by providing the translation of
parchment, stone, leather, tape, film, which contains the context and permitting information access by
Documentary Heritage the recorded archive, can either directly lead to file downloads. This results in the general public
an exceptional preservation state or the loss of a reaching out to invaluable archives that would be
treasured artifact. hardly impossible to encounter in real-life, opening
Over time, the conventional approach develop- themselves to new aspects of history.
ed, now with the heritage sector concentrating its Digitization processes and its public openings
policies on a people-centered approach. Whereas have created new lights for documentary heritage. It
the previous approach emphasized the role of becomes a wonderful information source, enabling
experts and focused on their scholar perspectives, academic research for all and also develops the
today’s viewpoint is on the active participation of interaction of creative industries and enhances
the local community and relevant stakeholders. public interest. One example would be the recent
Due to such changes, UNESCO highlights the Korean television mega-hit broadcast ‘The Red
significance of locality blended into the heritage Sleeve,’ based on the ‘The Annals of the Joseun
presentation and how the regional community Dynasty (Memory of the World, 1997).’ As its name
perceives their heritage, in terms of their daily suggests, this documentary heritage contains the
livelihood and future aspects. Such understandings 500-year history of Joseun with alarmingly detailed
are implemented into the UNESCO policy and in recordings of meetings and daily lives of the king
other relevant organizations such as ICCROM and and royals. The broadcast is about the well-known
ICOMOS, shifting the paradigm and ever more story of King Jeongjo and his royal concubine,
concentrating on how heritage can relate to people with interesting, new historical facts to the plot
and how it should be delivered. Its aim is to boost derived from continuous translation and its public
overall audience understanding of heritage value. access. The updated translation, along with other
The main objective of the Memory of the documentation has allowed in-depth understanding
World Programme (hereafter MoW) is on the of the previously presumed relation between the
preservation of documentary heritage. Having its king and the concubine, along with her real name
unique characteristic as a recorded archive, most and background. This was yet unearthed back
cases of MoW put great value on the content of the in late 2000s, and missing facts were mended
documentation, how influential it is to the world, with creativities when a different broadcast of
and how authentic it is, in other words, genuine to the same theme, also a mega hit, aired. The fact
its original form. Thus, it is natural for the MoW that the story was based on updated translation
natural Programme to put preservation as a high priority gained great attention from the public and media,

as most of the documentation material is fragile leading to public recognition on the importance of
to decay and deterioration. Moreover, since the documentary heritage digitization and utilization.
Programme also acknowledges the artistry of the Among Koreans, it was another moment of
scanning heritage, conserving the original format is of utmost realization how documentation could present new
importance. With these aims, MoW puts great effort perspectives to existing frameworks and prompt
in the digitization of each documentary heritage, attention and visits to the translation site as well.
encouraging various projects to facilitate digitization As such, the enhancement of accessibility
for custodians who need appropriate technology and could lead to a cultural wave within a society,
translation
support. Starting with the headquarters, regional creating an innovative method in delivering
MoW committees and individual organizations documentary heritage. This could be a methodology

20 UNESCO ICDH Newsletter 21 Memories of Today