VIRTUAL: Prague Heritages

Abstract

Living museum concept can be defined as an idea in which the past is recreated in a certain way by which historic representations and interpretations are implemented through community participation and place making. It fosters tourism, local economy and community development of a place.
Ancient cities have in it the various layers from different eras, which contribute to its tangible and intangible heritage that adds immense possibilities for the sustainable growth of a city. Through living museum concept, the place is being marketed for its unique identity through tourism, ultimately for heritage protection and community development. The ‘Muziris heritage project’, that is an initiative by the Kerala Government can be cited as a case example for analyzing on how the various dimensions of living museum can be applied for the conservation of the rich heritage of ancient towns.
The paper aims to explore the various dimensions of living museum concept for rejuvenating an ancient city by fostering its community, local tales, traditions, arts and art forms for tourism based heritage conservation. The main objectives of the paper include study on the potentiality of an ancient city; Muziris as a case example and parameter identification/study of living museum concept. The paper gives new methods for the protection of tangible and intangible heritage of cities through an inclusive approach. Heritage conservation by converting historic cities into ‘living museums’ not only encourages tourism development in an area, but also caters for the development of the local community and economy.