Cultural Property Protection

Man-made and natural catastrophes alike threaten and irreversibly destroy our cultural property. Cultural property itself is defined in the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict from 1954 and its two protocols and several UNESCO conventions. Today, cultural property and cultural heritage seem to be two entwined concepts without clear demarcation. The master’s program Cultural Property Protection, however, will focus on movable and immovable cultural property, as defined in the Hague Convention of 1954. Intangible heritage will also play a role, but tangible heritage takes centre stage.

Preparation in peacetime, i.e. before catastrophes strike, is a concept already highlighted in the Hague Convention of 1954. Preparation for evacuation and emergency measures before catastrophes strike is a key element of this practice-oriented master’s program.