The subject-matter of the article is the appraisal of the
problem of cultural identity of the countryside in the process
of historic conditionings as a synthesis of interdependencies
of natural and man-made factors on a specific area. Considerations
comprise a modern process of impendencies
threatening the cultural panorama, a brief discussion on
hitherto forms of protection and finally proposals concerning
integrated protection covering all fields that make cultural
values as well as some methodological comments. And here
are the most important statements.
A cultural picture of the countryside is the history recorded
in a concrete landscape; its shape and identification have been
affected by a number of factors both original nature-derived
as well as secondary man-made ones. A similarity of factors
and historical unity of vast areas decided of the formation of
features that were common and determinant for each country
and region, the sum of which represents the richness of the
cultural panorama and human attainments. Next to its properties
recorded on the scene of the outside world, the cultural
panorama has also its non-material dimensions without which
external forms could not get crystallized. The field of spiritual
culture seems to drift us away from a traditional scope of
activities dictated by professional limits; it must however be
always kept in mind, as its contribution conditions the behaviour
of the content inherent in the material substance and
form. The cultural panorama is not invariable. It is subject
to evolutions and transformations; it may be either enriched
or reduced. Its behaviour during transformation is of essential
importance, just as it represents roots of the social link, awareness
and self-determination of regional communities and
nations, capable of deciding of their lives and persistence in
face of an inevitable passing away of individuals by the law
of nature.
In a historical process a picture of the countryside developed
harmonously when works of men remained in a logical
relation to a specific area, of whom they were an integral
part. A menance to the cultural landscape appeared when the
balance of the functioning of the ecosystem and component
of both material and non-material nature specific for the
function and identity of the rural body got disturbed. The
present day brings with it transformations on an unprecedented
scale and at a very rapid pace. Without going into the
appraisal of the situation as a whole it can easily be seen
that the present pace of urbanization results not only in
devastation of the ecosystem but also in destruction of the
entire cultural areas.
This can be noticed in:
— degradation of the natural environment due to an excessive
depletion of its resources,
— decline and disintegration of social links as well as disappearance
of characteristics individualizing rural bodies as a result of an accelerated process of the integration of rural
and town communities,
— devastation of rural structures as a result of investments
that did not fit into their historical space arrangements,
— disappearance of traditional functions of rural bodies as
a result of transformations that were against their nature.
Devastation and disappearance of the traditional building is
only one of a vast number of phenomena. They were sped
up by a bad technical condition of resources and low utility
standard. Still, the worst factor was a psychical pressure that
regarded old or traditional buildings as an expression of backwardness.
Apart from that, building, fire-protection and insurance
regulations as well as the so-called orderly campaigns
permitted further devastation of wooden constructions. A departure
of the wooden village into the past became a real fact.
Unfortunately, the old architecture has been replaced by the
one that was far from being perfect and by unplanned chaotic
location on undeveloped areas. The features of regional identity
flowing from tradition, logics of function and place have disappeared.
Should the countryside become an area of subculture
or, at the best case, a smaller town?
When watching the development of the protection of architectural
monuments and material rural culture one can notice
the evolution of doctrines and practice assosiated with broadly
understood notion of “historic monuments”, which in turn
leads to comprising both individual structures, their complexes
and structural arrangements. Still, this development is not
free from controversies, negligence (e.g. in the field of the
so-called serial buildings or industrial plants), conflicts or
“competence void”. One should also notice that open-air
museums represent only a partial solution on an limited
museological scale. Attempts have been made to set up “rural
reserves” displaying clashes of the countryside with life
problems.
In this context, the need for a regular development of the
countryside with a simultaneous preservance of cultural identity
and continuity prompts us to consider the problem of the
reinstatement of the countryside as the task, which would
mean actions aimed at protecting the cultural landscape in
the process of development. This is combined with the
integration of the protection of all elements that make up
the cultural identity, namely:
— factual natural landscape,
— settlement structure fixed in the hamlet plan, road network
and field expanses,
— resources of building substance, greenery and water arrangements,
— certain non-material elements affecting characteristics of
the cultural picture.
Only the countryside seen in that way, in its entire territory,
should become a field for the revival, which may be achieved
by:
— full recording of cultural resources,
— their scientific analysis and estimation,
— designation of protection zones,
— drawing of guidelines for the protection, and
— their introduction, as an obligatory element, into plans of
spatial development.
Hitherto experiences have revealed a need for cooperation
between various scientific disciplines, specialists of which are
represented in the cultural picture. Prospects for the cooperation
of the scientific profession have been opened wide.
A separate problem the discussion of which goes beyond the
framework of the present report is the saving of spiritual
culture, which, from the very beginning, was formed in the
sphere of the principles of ideal nature specific for the Polish
nation and manifested itself in numerous traits that combine
spiritual wefts with a vision of the outside world. Its behaviour
should take place not only in the form of popularizing
superficial folk forms but also in the shaping of awareness in
the educational process and social life.
