CULTURAL HERITAGE (SEMINAR)

Read the article World Heritage by Linda Baxter and solve the following exercises:

If you think about World Heritage Sites, you

probably think of places associated with ancient
art and culture, historical buildings and
monuments. And of course, many of these are on
the World Heritage List.
Remains of ancient cultures, like Cuzco in Peru,
Angkor in Cambodia, or the famous rock city of
Petra in Jordan. Or old city centres, such as Rome
in Italy, or Sana'a in Yemen. Or places of artistic
or cultural significance, like the Stonehenge stone
circle in England, or the Tsodilo rock paintings in
the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. But The World
Heritage List contains a lot of sites that are not so
obvious. Some of them are well known. For
example, the Galapagos Islands, which inspired
Darwin's theories of evolution, or the Victoria
Falls waterfalls in Africa, and the Grand Canyon
in the United States.
Let's look at a few of the more unusual sites on
the World Heritage List and why it is important to
preserve them.
Citadel of Haiti
These monuments were built at the end of the
nineteenth century when Haiti became
independent and the many thousands of black

slaves in Haiti were free for the first time. These ex-slaves
built the monuments, which The World Heritage List
(WHL) describes as 'a universal symbol of liberty'.
Robben Island in South Africa
This island was used through the centuries as a prison, a
hospital and a military base. But it's probably most famous
as a maximum-security prison for political prisoners in the
twentieth century. Nelson Mandela was one of its most
famous residents. The WHL says it represents 'the triumph
of democracy and freedom over oppression and racism'.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India
This railway was opened in 1881 and is still operating
today. It crosses a difficult area of mountain landscape and
it is a great example of railway engineering. The WHL says
that it is 'the first, and still the most outstanding, example of
a hill passenger railway.'
Borders of France and Spain
This is an area of great natural beauty and the mountains
have many interesting geological formations. But it is also
an area of small farms. People there still use a type of
agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of
Europe but has almost completely disappeared in modern
times. The WHL has listed the site because it shows us
about 'past European society through its landscape of
villages, farms, fields, upland pastures and mountain roads.'

The city of Brasilia, Brazil

Brasilia is a capital city that was created from
nothing in 1956. The WHL calls it 'a landmark in the
history of town planning.' The different areas of the
city and the buildings themselves were all designed
at the same time so that they would harmonise with
each other. Every part of the city shows the ideas of
the planner and architect.
Dorset and East Devon Coast, United Kingdom
This part of the coast in the South West of England is
famous for its fossils and is popular with scientists
and amateur fossil hunters. The cliffs also show rock
formations from millions of years ago. The WHL
says that they 'have contributed to the study of earth
sciences for over 300 years.'
Alto Douro, Portugal
This is an area in the North of Portugal where wine
has been produced for thousands of years. Nowadays
it is world famous for the 'port wine' that is produced
there. The WHL says that this long tradition of
winemaking 'has produced a cultural landscape of
outstanding beauty that reflects its technological,
social and economic evolution.'
Rio Platano Reserve, Honduras
The WHL says that this site is 'one of the few
remains of a humid tropical forest in Central
America.' It's a mountainous area on the Caribbean
coast with many different species of plants and
animals. The people who have always lived there
still have the same traditional lifestyle.
Simien National Park, Ethiopia
Simien National Park was one of the first sites to be
listed in 1978. It is one of the highest mountain areas
in Africa, and the WHL calls it 'one of the most
spectacular landscapes in the world'. It is also
important for its wildlife. Rare animals like the
Gelada baboon and the Simien fox live there. It is
also the only place in the world where you can find
the Walia ibex, a type of goat. The population of this
animal is getting smaller and smaller. That's why the
site is now on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
So, the World Heritage List isn't only about ancient
monuments and buildings. It's also concerned with
technology, natural beauty, wildlife and traditional
ways of life.

After reading
Exercise 1
Choose the answer to each of the six questions below, depending on the information in the text.
1. Why is the Citadel of Haiti included on the list?
a. It shows a traditional way of life.
b. It represents freedom.
c. The buildings are thousands of years old.
2. Why is the Darjeeling Railway listed?
a. The landscape is very beautiful.
b. It was difficult to build.
c. It carries a lot of passengers.
3. What is the most important reason for listing the area on the borders of France and Spain?
a. We can learn about the history of Europe.
b. The geology is interesting.
c. It's very beautiful.

4. Why is Brasilia listed?

a. It's an interesting example of town planning.
b. It was the ancient capital of Brazil.
c. It was difficult to build.
5. Why is the Dorset and East Devon Coast listed?
a. The wildlife is unusual.
b. It's important for scientific study.
c. You can find fossils there.
6. Why is the Simien National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger?
a. Because of the animals that live there.
b. Because of the people that live there.
c. Because of the natural landscape.
Exercise 2. In the table below are 10 words from the text. Below the table are definitions of the 10 words.
Can you match the words to their definitions?
evolution
heritage
outstanding
triumph

fossils
landmark
preserve

geology
landscape
symbol

1. means features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions,

languages or buildings, which still exist from the past and which have a historical importance.
2. means gradual development.
3. To something means to keep it as it is, esp. in order to prevent it from decaying or being
damaged or destroyed.
4. A is a sign, shape or object which is used to represent something else.
5. A is a very great success, achievement or victory, or a feeling of great satisfaction or
pleasure caused by this.
6. means excellent; clearly very much better than what is usual.
7. the study of the rocks and similar substances that make up the Earth's surface, esp. in order
to understand its structure, origin, etc.
8. A is a large area of countryside, esp. in relation to its appearance.
9. A is a building or place that is easily recognized, esp. one which you can use to judge
where you are.
10. . are bones, shells or shapes of a plant or animal which have been preserved in rock, ice or
earth for a very long period.
PART 2
Read what young people in countries around the world think about the United Kingdom. Compare their
opinions, work with the vocabulary and let us know what you think about the UK.

Quotes about the United Kingdom

First set of quotes
UAE - When young people say about the British that he's unpleasant or old, it is an impression we have from
the time when Great Britain was a great power together with Portugal.
ITALY - I particularly liked the spirit, the liveliness, the people and their open-mindedness.
HUNGARY - It's so fantastic that they are able to look at themselves with self-irony. I think this is
exceptional. They write books and make movies that tell a negative picture about them and they show it.
HONG KONG - A lot of them are drunk and cause trouble.
JAPAN - There are bad points such as discrimination but also good points such as the parliamentary
government.
KENYA - It's believed that if you go for further education in Britain, you get quality education.
THAILAND - They seem so cold in general.
BANGLADESH - Heritage from Britain, technology and dynamism from the United States.
SINGAPORE - The British always give me the idea of old and boring.
KOREA - Underlying the British people's ideologies is their deeply rooted tradition, long history, long history
of the royal family and democracy, and the class structure.
GREECE - I am thinking about music. It's not by accident that the most innovative trends in music come
from England.
VIETNAM - UK is a small island but it has a global trading system.
Second set of quotes
MEXICO - The British are limited. They don't try new things.
JAPAN - British scientists are enthusiastic, almost manic, in particular categories. But they are doing
something that really doesn't matter.
CZECH REPUBLIC - Britain was the first country with a constitution, I think. So there is a real democratic
tradition in Britain.

SPAIN - Out of the European countries I think the closest to the US is England; but you can't separate them
from Europe.
SINGAPORE - They have a group of white trash, you know, skinheads. That group is very, very racist. But I
think the majority is fine. In fact, I know there are some community leaders that are black.
FRANCE - There are many differences between the English, the Irish and the Scottish. Irish and Scottish are
much more friendly.
HUNGARY - Their mistrust with strangers is also a characteristic. Usually this is said for the Germans but it
is far more true for the English.
NIGERIA - A British product is very high quality. You'll use it and use it until you are tired.
RUSSIA - People are very involved in the life of society, politics. They are very well aware of what is going
on.
GERMANY - The really crazy people all come from England.
SAUDI ARABIA - They don't have any famous artists. They like soccer.
Answer the questions:
1. Which text accuses the British of being dull?
a. Singapore; b. UAE; c. Thailand.
2. Which text mentions both unfairness and democracy?
a. Korea; b. Japan; Bangladesh.
3. Which text compares Britain with a previously powerful country?
a. UAE; b. Bangladesh; c. Korea.
4. Which text says the British are capable of self-criticism?
a. Italy; b. Singapore; c. Hungary.
5. Which text talks of the high standard of British universities?
a. Hungary; b. Bangladesh; c. Kenya.
6. Which text refers to Britain's international business interests?
a. Bangladesh; b. Vietnam; c. Korea.
7. Which text accuses many British people of having bad habits?
a. Hong Kong; b. Japan; c. Thailand.
8. Which text says the British are distant?
a. Japan; b. Thailand; c. Singapore.
9. Which text mentions British originality?
a. Hungary; b. Italy; c. Greece.
10. Which text says British people are vigorous and tolerant?
a. Korea; b. Italy; c. Hungary.
11. Which text says Britain is better known for its history than its modern ways?
a. Korea; b. UAE; c. Bangladesh.
12. Which text refers to the origins of British people's beliefs?
a. Korea; b. UAE; c. Japan.