DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2025.32.12

 

Abstract. Purpose. The article analyzes the evolution of approaches of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to the protection of cultural heritage – from material to intangible, documentary, and digital forms. The purpose is to trace how technological progress and globalization processes have influenced the transformation of heritage concepts and the formation of a new cultural policy within the organization.

Methodology. To achieve this goal, the study applies the principles of chronological sequence, analytical interpretation, and critical comparison. These methods made it possible to classify UNESCO’s key documents, trace the evolution of its legal framework, and analyze the transformation of major heritage protection concepts starting from the 1972 Convention.

Scientific novelty. For the first time in Ukrainian academic discourse, a documentary analysis has been conducted to show UNESCO’s transition from the classical paradigm of preserving material monuments to a comprehensive understanding of heritage that includes intangible practices, documentary resources, and digital objects.

Conclusions. The concepts of cultural heritage protection developed by UNESCO since 1972 remain relevant but have undergone significant transformation under the influence of globalization and digital technologies. The notion of «Outstanding Universal Value» has expanded – from material to intangible, documentary, and digital heritage. Preservation is now viewed not only as physical protection of objects but also as a complex activity involving digital recording, knowledge transmission, and ensuring access to cultural memory. Particular attention should be paid to the role of digital technologies, which not only transform the methods of preservation but also shape new practices of interaction between institutions, researchers, and society. Digital transformation creates opportunities for greater inclusivity in the field of cultural heritage, making it accessible to a wider range of users and future generations. This shift forms a new paradigm of shared responsibility among states and communities for safeguarding heritage in the digital age.

Keywords: UNESCO, cultural heritage, intangible heritage, digital heritage, documentary heritage, digitalization, museums.

Submitted 10.09.2025

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