Citizenship and Cultural Heritage. Strategies and models for inclusive educational technological and digital environments

The book explores the critical role of cultural institutions and their educational activities in fostering cultural growth and preserving national identity, as mandated by the Code of Cultural Heritage. It highlights the importance of protecting and enhancing cultural heritage, particularly through the reproducibility of cultural assets, which has been significantly advanced by recent technological innovations. These advancements, especially accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, have made cultural heritage more accessible and have broadened its dissemination. The discussion underscores the need for a robust legislative framework to regulate the reproduction of cultural assets, addressing issues such as freedom of panorama and the limitations on reproducing cultural heritage in both private and public spaces. The internet’s global reach poses challenges for cultural institutions, as it allows for the widespread circulation of images, complicating the management of cultural assets. These institutions must now evolve from merely being repositories of knowledge to becoming active cultural mediators in the digital age, ensuring that cultural heritage is not only preserved but also widely accessible and interpretable. Museums, in particular, have been experiencing deep changes due to the digital and social revolutions in the fields of art and culture. The merging of the borders between the material and digital spheres requires museums to adapt to this new paradigm. The pandemic has further emphasised the need for museums to be accessible regardless of location, transforming distance from a barrier to an opportunity to establish new relationships with visitors. The future of museums lies in effectively balancing the analogue and digital environments, recognising that each offers distinct but complementary experiences. Cultural institutions must utilise the strengths of both to create meaningful and lasting engagement with visitors. In addition, there is a growing need for museums to be inclusive and accessible to all, including people with disabilities. This shift from viewing museums as elite spaces to welcoming and viable leisure options reflects broader societal changes. In order to be truly socially inclusive, museums must go beyond mere compliance with regulations by actively working to make their spaces fully accessible to all. This involves integrating heritage conservation with initiatives that ensure total accessibility, adapted to the different needs of individuals. The text concludes by emphasising the importance of Heritage Pedagogy that must work in close dialogue with all educational institutions and that the evolution of cultural institutions in the digital age is crucial to maintain the relevance and inclusiveness of cultural heritage for all members of society.