European Heritage as the Eternal/Contemporary "Carriers" for Uses of the Past; to understand, to learn, to interpret, to communicate for reflective society

Each element of Past, regardless of its formal status, is source of information about Past – it can be cognized and interpreted. Thus, it may become important component of cultural competence training in social environments subjected to variable rhythms of modernity. Project focuses on the changing uses of the pasts. Traditional approach to cultural heritage focused on forms of its protection as material object. Project goes Beyond this approach. General objective is investigation of cultural heritage as „carriers” of function, meanings and values in contemporary society. These „carriers” are eternal in fact but contemporary understanding of heritage is subjective - each community, culture, region defines what is considered heritage and identity. Concurrently, functions, meanings and values of cultural heritage keep expanding towards the common European heritage. Project outcome will be new methodology enabling comprehensive analysis of all kinds of information that is contained or may be communicated through "carriers" understood as tangible and intangible cultural heritage. This applies both to information from Past, modern communications and message for Future (use of heritage). Great significance of research question is related to the role and function of Cultural Heritage and to the process of reinforcing of European identities. Project will contribute to the theme “Uses of the Past” through describing the meaning of European Cultural Heritage in a changing world.