COVID-19’s significant impact on economic and social life has rightfully garnered the

attention of citizens and policymakers alike. A lesser-known effect of the pandemic though
has been the heavy strain it has placed on efforts to preserve and protect cultural heritage. In
response to the pandemic, governments have issued strict guidelines and restrictions to shut
down theaters, museums, cultural heritage sites, libraries, airports, malls, schools, and
restaurants. With no cure or vaccine on the horizon, governments are working to mitigate
the damage of the lockdowns on cultural heritage sites.
Over the past two decades, cultural heritage—especially in conflict zones—
has been negatively impacted by terrorism, illicit trafficking, climate
change, lack of funding, and even neglect. COVID-19 has had similar
effects, but in an incredibly short period of time.
For example, COVID-19 lockdowns immediately brought critical
restoration and rehabilitation work to a stop. In Afghanistan, work on
restoring the Topdara Stupa, dating from early AD, was required to stop.
Recent repair and restoration began in 2016, and the stupa’s drum and base
were successfully tended to, but the entire structure needed to be
rehabilitated appropriately. It is difficult to tell when the stupa will be able
to stand complete.
In Gao, Mali, an extensive rehabilitation project on the Tomb of Askia was
only very recently launched, but was put on pause. The tomb, a unique
pyramidal structure that contains two mosques and a cemetery, is
representative of the monumental mud-building traditions of the West
African Sahel. In Spain, the famous Sagrada Família, first constructed in
1882, remains unfinished. Although expected to be completed in 2026, the
imposed lockdown has brought an indefinite stop to any further restoration
of the temple.
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the travel and tourism industry,
both of which are vital for the cultural sector. In April 2020, world heritage
sites in Southeast Asia saw a decline of visitors of up to 99 percent. These
sites represent vital sources of employment not only to the local population,
but also to cultural organizations, institutions, associations, archaeologists,
and artisans.
The significant economic impacts of the pandemic have made many
countries mobilize funds to ensure that people working in the industry can
financially support themselves and that the sites themselves are not
permanently closed. Nonetheless, urgent funding is needed to defray
pending operations and provide healthcare to staff, among many other
costs.
Furthermore, cultural sites can be peace hubs that help maintain
reconciliation processes, which in turn can foster environments that brings
communities together under a common umbrella to learn, understand, and
live peacefully together. These potentially positive effects are especially
important in the pandemic period, when the mental and emotional effects
of social isolation are slowly becoming clearer.
Efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of cultural heritage sites and to
ensure sites stay open are already underway. Audrey Azoulay, Director-
General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), convened meetings with culture ministers to
“identify remedial policy measures” that can address this important issue.
This includes an international social media campaign called
#ShareOurHeritage which incorporates online exhibitions of cultural sites.
The fact remains, however, that almost 90 percent of World Heritage sites
remain totally or partially closed.
Ministers of culture from over 140 countries have also taken their own
initiative, having met on April 20 to discuss the “cultural crisis.” In this
meeting, Noura al-Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development
of the United Arab Emirates, made a strong case to support cultural
activities and “protect the individuals and companies who work in the
creative sector.” An impact and response tracker published by UNESCO
shows that the ministries of culture in countries like Iran, Italy, Argentina,
and Egypt have been emphasizing the development of digital platforms to
ensure that knowledge regarding cultural heritage is still being passed on.
These initiatives are promising and can, in some instances, be bolstered by
reasonable measures that allow certain sites to reopen. For example, the
government of South Korea opened museums and cultural institutions in
May under social distancing measures, though later shut down many public
spaces until June 14 amid a rise in coronavirus cases. The government of
Egypt is considering placing floor signs on the floors of museums to allow
them to open while maintaining proper social distancing. These measures,
among many others, will also make it possible for people who work in the
museums to maintain their previous level of financial security.
Through these efforts, appreciation of the need to connect to one’s cultural
heritage during the pandemic period is growing. In particular, allowing
citizens to engage in dialogue regarding history and tradition, sharing
similar and diverse experiences, and even allowing them to visit national
memorials with appropriate measures, will help people weather the mental
and emotional toll.
Ultimately, by their very presence, cultural monuments instill a sense of
history, community, and solidarity within societies. They are sources of
inspiration, resilience, courage, and artistic innovation that are much
needed during this pandemic. While there is undoubtedly a pressing need
to invest heavily in the future—in particular to remedy the pandemic’s
devastating economic impacts—this is not fully possible without ensuring
the concepts, experiences, and teachings of the past are also incorporated.