Towards a Socio-culturally Sustainable Definition of Authenticity Re-thinking the Spirit of Place

• Main Author: Kari Niskasaari
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: karelia*; karelian
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.545.522; http://www.international.icomos.org/quebec2008/cd/toindex/77_pdf/77-1w1c-82.pdf

Abstract. In protecting the building heritage, the preservable value of a site is usually defined by an expert. I am participating as a Finnish expert in a multicultural project started in 1998, in which the definition of authenticity is being considered in a new way, more immaterially, as an interactive socio-cultural action that concentrates on creating a local identity. The project is focused on a historical Livvik Karelian settlement in Russia, the authentically preserved wooden village of Kinnermäki. In the doctoral dissertation I am preparing for defining authenticity in the preservation of traditional timber architecture, the work being done in Kinnermäki serves as the main practical example. In international preservation of the building heritage, the definition of authenticity has evolved from emphasizing genuineness and originality towards appreciating the layers of history and taking cultural diversity into consideration. Defining a preservable value is still mainly considered to be the job of experts, but social pressure to undo this authority is growing, especially in multicultural situations. In protecting the building heritage, the definition of authenticity is undergoing a process of change towards communication and socio-culturally sustainable activity. Defining Authenticity Under the Pressures of Change Authenticity is the most essential conservation value of the building heritage and it is one of the preservable values. In defining authenticity, an expert’s task is to verify the genuineness and originality of historical buildings. During his/her studies a Finnish architect receives instruction in building preservation, building