Post-Webinar Booklet Now Available: Best Practices in Rural Community Building Through Heritage
- Feb 11
- 1 min read
Excited to share the release of our post-webinar booklet from The ARCH’s Virtual Roundtable: Best Practices in Rural Community Building Through Heritage, held on 15 January 2026! This resource captures inspiring insights on using intangible cultural heritage to foster resilient rural communities. Available now in English and German, with a Hindi version coming soon – perfect for our global network.
In summary: Our speakers explored how endangered heritage crafts can rebuild connections in rural areas, from hands-on youth programmes in Germany’s Altmark region to reviving handspinning traditions in India and preserving pilgrim trails amid conflict in the Middle East. They highlighted UNESCO’s role in balancing global recognition with local needs, while advocating for inclusive, bottom-up approaches to combat isolation and promote sustainability. Real-world examples, like community-led church revitalisation in England and video documentation of Syrian traditions, underscored the power of grassroots empowerment for cultural and economic resilience.
A huge thank you to our speakers: Kerstin Rice (The ARCH), Karl Parnis (Malta Crafts Foundation), Avani Varia (Handspinning Revival, India), Yvonne Conchie (Blanchland Abbey, UK) and Richard Wilding (Middle East Heritage Projects). Special thanks also to Jermina Stanojev for supporting the Q&A.
Watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzS3LVA4pwl
Download the booklet:
Let’s connect and collaborate on preserving living heritage!
Image credit: Maximilian Gödecke for Gemeinschaftsinitiative Ost
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