From Nara to Nairobi: Reflections on Authenticity

The concept of authenticity in heritage conservation has evolved significantly since the Nara Document (1994), expanding beyond Eurocentric paradigms to embrace dynamic, relational frameworks. This study traces its development over three decades, identifying persistent tensions between authenticity and integrity, as well as universal standards versus culturally specific practices. It introduces the 'heritage ecosystem approach,' reframing authenticity as an adaptive process within social, cultural, environmental, and economic networks. The analysis highlights unresolved conceptual challenges, particularly in living heritage and post-crisis recovery, while positioning the Nairobi meeting (2024) as a pivotal milestone in this discourse.

Inaba, N., Kono, T., & Wijesuriya, G. (2026). From Nara to Nairobi: Reflections on Authenticity. Heritage Authenticity in Theory and Practice in Africa, 151–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-92-2619-1_11