Latest news with #MemoryoftheWorld
Hamilton Spectator
17-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Notman Photographic Archives receives UNESCO Memory of the World Register distinction
MONTREAL - The Notman Photographic Archives, a collection of photographs described as a Canadian treasure, has been inscribed into UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. The McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal is the home of the collection, which contains 400,000 prints and 200,000 glass plate negatives as well as records and ledgers from the Montreal Notman studio between 1856 and 1935. William Notman's studio employed people across Canada and the United States, and the collection includes portraits, cityscapes and landscapes from coast to coast that the museum's head describes as shedding light on the construction of Canada over an 80 year period. Notman brought unique innovation and esthetic to portrait photography, which the museum says helped him earn an international reputation as the most prominent Canadian photographer of his era. The archive had first been added to Canada's national Memory of the World Register in 2019 before receiving the international distinction this week. Cody Groat, a Western University professor and Chair of the Canadian commission for the UNESCO Memory of the World advisory committee, says the designation is given to the most significant archival or documentary heritage collections in the world. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Notman Photographic Archives receives UNESCO Memory of the World Register distinction
MONTREAL – The Notman Photographic Archives, a collection of photographs described as a Canadian treasure, has been inscribed into UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. The McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal is the home of the collection, which contains 400,000 prints and 200,000 glass plate negatives as well as records and ledgers from the Montreal Notman studio between 1856 and 1935. William Notman's studio employed people across Canada and the United States, and the collection includes portraits, cityscapes and landscapes from coast to coast that the museum's head describes as shedding light on the construction of Canada over an 80 year period. Notman brought unique innovation and esthetic to portrait photography, which the museum says helped him earn an international reputation as the most prominent Canadian photographer of his era. The archive had first been added to Canada's national Memory of the World Register in 2019 before receiving the international distinction this week. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Cody Groat, a Western University professor and Chair of the Canadian commission for the UNESCO Memory of the World advisory committee, says the designation is given to the most significant archival or documentary heritage collections in the world. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2025.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-04-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Royal Commission for AlUla, UNESCO Launch Innovating Documentary Heritage Conference
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in partnership with UNESCO, launched its international conference titled 'Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development in AlUla and Saudi Arabia,' to be held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on April 29 and 30. The conference is held under UNESCO's 'Memory of the World' program and will host leading experts, institutions concerned with historical memory, and cultural policymakers. It will discuss ways to utilize documentary heritage in supporting education, promoting cultural dialogue, and advancing sustainable development goals in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. Alongside the conference, an exhibition titled 'Words on Memory: A Window into Saudi Arabia's Documentary Heritage' is being held at UNESCO headquarters from April 28 to May 2. It will showcase archival materials and historical narratives of the Kingdom, in partnership with national memory institutions, for the first time internationally. The initiative reflects RCU's commitment to preserving AlUla's natural and cultural heritage in support of Saudi Vision 2030 and to establishing AlUla as a regional center for cultural leadership and heritage-driven development. The conference also extends RCU's partnership with UNESCO under the 'Memory of the World' program and the Kingdoms Institute, reaffirming their joint efforts in documentary heritage preservation, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange.
Leaders
29-04-2025
- General
- Leaders
AlUla, UNESCO Highlight Documentary Heritage Role in Promoting Sustainable Development
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and UNESCO have launched 'Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development in AlUla and Saudi Arabia' Conference in Paris, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Taking place from April 29-30, 2025, the conference is part of the UNESCO's 'Memory of the World' program. It will bring together a host of experts and institutions concerned with historical memory, as well as cultural policymakers, to discuss the mechanisms of leveraging documentary heritage in supporting education, fostering cultural dialogue, and contributing to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. Concurrently, the UNESCO headquarters is hosting an exhibition titled 'Words on Memory: A Window into Saudi Arabia's Documentary Heritage,' from April 28 to May 2, 2025. The exhibition showcases the Kingdom's archival legacy and historical storytelling traditions, in partnership with national memory institutions. This initiative aligns with RCU's commitment to preserving AlUla's natural and cultural heritage, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It also aims to establish AlUla's status as a regional hub for cultural leadership and heritage-driven development. Meanwhile, the conference serves as an extension of the RCU's partnership with UNESCO under the 'Memory of the World' program and the Kingdoms Institute, underscoring their joint efforts in preserving documentary heritage, building capacities, and exchanging knowledge on a global scale. Short link : Post Views: 1
Hans India
27-04-2025
- General
- Hans India
Global recognition for Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra
In a moment of immense national pride and cultural validation, Bharat has secured a place on UNESCO's prestigious Memory of the World (MoW) Register for two of its most profound and enduring knowledge systems — the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni's Natyashastra. With their inscription among 74 new entries this year, Bharat's tally of recognized documentary heritage now stands at 14, showcasing the timeless relevance and universal appeal of its civilizational wisdom. For Millennials and Gen Z seeking emotional clarity and authentic self-expression, the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra serve as ancient yet powerful guides. The Gita helps navigate inner struggles with purpose and peace, while the Natyashastra acts as a timeless GPS for the modern soul—enhancing how we communicate, connect, and present ourselves. In a world where social media often distorts simple truths, these texts offer grounded, holistic perspectives that cut through the noise. It's a call to rediscover the original blueprints for living with intention, emotional balance, and clarity. Why This Recognition Matters? UNESCO's Memory of the World Register is an elite archive of humankind's most valuable intellectual legacies. Inclusion in this register means global acknowledgment of a text's enduring impact on society, culture, ethics, and human thought. The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra have long been Bharat's cultural lodestars. Their global recognition is a reaffirmation of Bharat's ancient contributions to human consciousness, art, and communication — now officially documented on the world stage. 'The journey of preparing the nomination dossiers for Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra was both rigorous and rewarding. Addressing the review comments from the UNESCO committee posed significant challenges, especially when it came to establishing historical context and universal value,' shared Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Member, International Advisory Committee – UNESCO Memory of the World, and Head, Kalanidhi Division, IGNCA. Timeless Wisdom for the Digital Age The Gita is a manual for the mind, in just 700 verses, it distills the complexity of life into simple but profound truths. The Bhagavad Gita written by Ved Vyas and its commentary exists in the ancient Sharada script (one of the oldest known scripts) . There are over 100 Bhagavad Gita Commentary manuscripts written by different commentators across centuries available today. These are housed in major repositories abroad at the British Library, Oxford University, and several collections in Germany and the UK which are not accessible. We must now make a concerted effort to bring back our manuscripts from foreign collections or, at the very least, ensure they are digitally accessible. In Bharat, we have the oldest Bhagavad Gita manuscript which is 650 years old, while an 800-year-old version is preserved in the Oxford Library and not accessible. In a world where Gen Z is constantly navigating filters both digital and emotional, the Gita offers an uncluttered lens. It speaks about self-awareness, detachment from outcome, the importance of action (karma yoga), and clarity in decision-making. In fact, corporate boardrooms and leadership seminars around the world today quote the Gita for its strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. When social media throws a thousand narratives at you, the Gita helps ground you in your own truth. It reminds us that peace doesn't lie in likes or follows, but in self-realization. The Ancient Blueprint of Communication While the Gita guides how to live, the Natyashastra teaches how to express life itself. Penned by Bharat Muni, this encyclopedic treatise on dramaturgy, dating back to 200 BCE, is the world's oldest surviving work on performance arts. But don't be misled by its age — it's a vibrant document of creative science that's strikingly relevant even today. The Natyashastra manuscripts are primarily available in Sanskrit, written in the Devanagari script. In the age of reels, storytelling is king. Every post, every video, every meme — is a performance. The Natyashastra breaks down human emotion (rasa), expression (bhava), body movement, voice modulation, stagecraft, and audience engagement. It's the OG guide for content creators, filmmakers, actors, and communication strategists. From Netflix shows to YouTube shorts, the underlying grammar of storytelling finds echoes in Bharat Muni's formulations. The Natyashastra understands human psychology, how stories move people, how aesthetics influence behavior — making it a must-read for anyone in media, marketing, or digital communication. Bringing the Past into the Present What's common between these two seemingly different texts is their unshakable relevance. The Gita simplifies life. The Natyashastra beautifies it. Together, they help navigate internal chaos and external communication which are the two major challenges in the information age. Many Gen Z youth today are anxious, overstimulated, and seeking authenticity. The Gita tells them: your identity is deeper than your feed. The Natyashastra says: communicate with sincerity, and your message will resonate. The Man Behind the Milestone The historic inclusion of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register is the result of the visionary efforts of Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Member of UNESCO's International Advisory Committee and Nodal Officer for the MoW Programme in India. He said, the Bhagavad Gita nomination, aided by its global presence—translated in over 80 languages—mainly involved responding to technical queries. In contrast, Natyashastra required extensive groundwork to establish its international relevance, including inputs on its socio-political and economic significance and validation from repositories which are available in Bhandarkar Oriential Research Institute, Pune. The nomination process took around six months, with 15–20 days devoted to final restructuring. Dr. Gaur emphasized the importance of ensuring universal access to these texts, many of which are now digitally available at IGNCA. Thanks to his initiative, these ancient knowledge systems have not only gained global recognition but are also being reintroduced into the modern world—enriching digital platforms, classrooms, and public discourse alike. Towards a More Enlightened Future In a world that often measures worth by virality, these recognitions redirect focus toward value, the kind that sustains you emotionally, ethically, and intellectually. The Gita is more than Lord Krishna and Arjuna, it's about you and your inner battles. The Natyashastra is not just about temple dance, it's about how you speak, present, and connect. These are more than relics of the past rather tools for the present and guides for the future. So the next time your feed leaves you feeling anxious, uncertain, or uninspired, pick up the Gita for clarity. Dive into the Natyashastra to sharpen your expression. These are your own legacy texts made in Bharat, for the world. This recognition is not just a cultural moment — it's a movement. A movement to shift from superficial engagement to deeper understanding. A chance to make Indian knowledge systems more accessible and relatable to the world's youngest and most connected generation. Let us not confine these ancient texts on museum or library shelves. Let's bring them into conversations, school curriculums, podcasts, YouTube explainers, and storytelling festivals. Because when ancient wisdom meets modern relevance, magic happens. As we celebrate this defining milestone, let us honor these two pillars of our heritage by living their essence. For in a chaotic world, they are our calm. In a noisy world, they are our clarity.
