Civilizational Responsibility of Preserving Sacred Heritage

Authors

  • Antonella De Robbio CEO, eLIS; Via Ticino, 2-Sarmeola, 35030 Rubano; University of Studies of Padua, CAB University Centre for Libraries, Via Anghinoni, 3 - 35121 Padova http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6617-444X (unauthenticated)
  • Gireesh Kumar T K Lead Researcher & Visiting Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, PV 27100. Italy

Keywords:

Cultural Informatics, Heritage, Digital Preservation, Intangible, Tangible, Informatics, Virtual Reality, India, Sacred Sites, Spirituality

Abstract

Sacred heritage sites hold a special place among the world’s cultural treasures. While revered faith and devotion often protect them, they remain vulnerable to pressures of pilgrimage, development, interfaith tensions, and conflict. From Ayodhya to Lumbini, Bethlehem to Mecca, these spaces embody humanity’s timeless search for righteousness, enlightenment, love, and divine truth. Their preservation is not just about conserving monuments and ruins but also about safeguarding living traditions—rituals, music, festivals, and oral lore—that give them meaning. With the help of informatics, these fragile, intangible legacies can be recorded and sustained, ensuring that future generations inherit both the spirit and the stones of humanity’s sacred journey.

Author Biographies

  • Antonella De Robbio, CEO, eLIS; Via Ticino, 2-Sarmeola, 35030 Rubano; University of Studies of Padua, CAB University Centre for Libraries, Via Anghinoni, 3 - 35121 Padova
    Antonella De Robbio (Chief Editor) is CEO of E-LIS Eprints covering Information Science and related disciplines- the international Open Access Archive that she conceived and implemented in 2003. She served University of Padua for over 40 years in different scientific and academic positions related to coordination of information systems, scientific communication, open access, intellectual property rights, civil service training etc. Implemented Padua @ thesis and Padua @ research, two archives for research monographs and doctoral dissertations at the University. She was the national coordinator for drafting of Italian OPACs for the Italian MetaOpac MAI Azalai (1999-2015). Is currently a member of the AIB Legislative Observatory; coordinator of the Study Group on Public Domain and Open Access and Mentor for the MooC Research Data Management and Sharing on the Coursera platform of Universities of North Carolina and Edinburgh and is guiding students of doctoral courses through EduOpen network of universities Italians. Has to her credit numerous research publications.
  • Gireesh Kumar T K, Lead Researcher & Visiting Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, PV 27100. Italy
    Gireesh Kumar T K (Chief Editor) is presently working as Lead Researcher and Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Italy under the Global Experience Faculty Program (GEFP) of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India where he was working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science, He took PhD from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala on Open Source Integrated Library Systems. Has Post Graduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking from University of Hyderabad. He is the recipient of Best Young Teacher Award (2021) and Young Librarian Award (2018) of Madras Library Association, ILA A.G. Motiwale Award (2015), and India’s Best Blogger in LIS Award (2009). Published more than 60 research papers, presentations, book chapters and video lectures. He is the course instructor of NPTEL SWAYAM course on Library Automation and Networking. His area of interest is Heritage Informatics, Cultural Heritage Information System, Library Automation and Networking and Digital Humanities.

References

Stovel, Herb, Stanley-Price, Nicholas and Killick, Robert (2003). Conservation of Living Religious Heritage. Papers from ICCROM 2003 forum on Living Religious heritage: Conserving the Sacred. Italy, ICCROM

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Published

2025-09-16

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025): HERITAGE INFORMATICS

Section

Articles

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