Heritage
The fifth edition of the Split Format Festival will open with an exhibition of finalists and the announcement of the winners of the photography competition on the theme HERITAGE. The theme of heritage is not only the focus of the competition and exhibition but also of the entire festival program – from workshops, lectures, and film screenings to educational photo-safari walks and accompanying events, which will explore and reflect on the concept of heritage from various perspectives.According to the definition found on the online pages of the Croatian Encyclopedia by the Miroslav Krleža Lexicographical Institute, heritage is primarily defined as the property and legacy of ancestors, referring in this sense to tangible assets such as land and real estate. In a broader sense, heritage can also be defined as the inherited and nurtured wealth we receive from our ancestors, representing the collective good of a community or society.Simply put, heritage is the totality of goods and values inherited from the past, whose significance should be preserved for future generations. Heritage may be tangible, such as monuments, architecture, and urban or rural complexes, as well as intangible, such as traditional customs, knowledge, skills, and oral stories passed down through generations. In this sense, heritage strongly influences our identity. Collectively, it connects us with the experiences of our ancestors, preserves continuity, and shapes cultural patterns through which a community is recognized. On a personal level, family stories, customs, and objects passed down from generation to generation form the foundation of belonging and self-awareness. Heritage thus acts as a living network that allows us to understand who we are and where we come from, as well as a source of inspiration opening space for new interpretations and innovations. Understanding and reflecting on one’s own heritage also teaches appreciation and respect for the heritage, customs, and traditions of others, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding.We invite all interested photographers – amateurs, professionals, and enthusiasts – to explore and (re)interpret heritage through their work: local or global, personal or collective, tangible or intangible; heritage that we preserve and live as a living link between what we have inherited and what we leave behind.
Ana Žanko, curator
