Cultural heritage consists of the creations of previous generations and how we perceive, interpret and manage them today.

There are traces of the past everywhere. The cultural environment is essentially all of the environments that have been shaped by humans throughout the ages. It can be everything from an individual place or building to an entire landscape.

Cultural heritage is a broader concept than cultural environment. It not only includes objects, buildings and ancient remains, but also stories, traditions and other intangible values that are handed down from previous generations.

Cultural heritage isn't static

It is also important to point out that cultural heritage isn't static and is constantly being changed and reformulated. Each age has its own perception of what cultural heritage is and what it means.

The Swedish National Heritage Board is tasked by the government to play an active, unifying role in cultural heritage work and to work to ensure that cultural heritage is preserved and utilised in the best possible way. We also have a responsibility to further the discussion surrounding the concept of cultural heritage and how it relates to issues regarding democracy and power, affiliation and isolation, and how it can provide perspectives on the present and the future.

You can find out more under the links: Archaeology and ancient remains, Conservation, Landscapes, Buildings and Modern cultural heritage.