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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/ITEMA.2023.373
The Cultural Identity of the Region
as a Sign of Social Development
Lyubov Kirilova Ivanova1
Keywords:
Cultural heritage;
Cultural identity;
Territorial identity;
Social development
Abstract: The concept of culture is developed based on many customs, val-
ues, traditions, religious characteristics, language and linguistic differenc-
es, artifacts, and laws, through the preservation and practice of which the
knowledge is transmitted to the population of a given territory, which helps
in their rapid adaptation to the local environment and preservation of the
local heritage. Cultural heritage is a part of the history of a given territory or
region and is a source of social cohesion for the people who inhabit it. In this
way, it is a prerequisite for determining the sense of identity of the people, as
well as a vitally important factor for the sustainable development of a given
territory and its positioning as competitive with other regions. Cultural herit-
age is specific to each region and is a set of features related to the language,
customs, manners, traditions, folklore diversity, natural features, and archi-
tectural-historical wealth, typical for a given community or group of peo-
ple, which build their cultural identity. The preservation of cultural identi-
ty is an important mark for distinguishing and understanding the other, the
foreign culture. On one hand, through the knowledge of the foreign identi-
ty, a collective image of the region is created, and on the other, it emphasiz-
es its characteristics, according to which a given community can define it-
self and which emphasizes the differences in communication with other cul-
tures and communities.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Cultural identity is part of a person‘s identity or his concept of development and is a way of
perceiving his surroundings. It is related to an individual‘s nationality, ethnicity, religion,
social class, generation or locality, or a distinct type of social group that has its own distinct cul-
ture. Thus, cultural identity characterizes an individual or an identical group of members shar-
ing the same cultural identity or upbringing. Cultural identity is a continuous process that is
been changed, based on dierent social, cultural and historical experiences. The more people
change, the faster their cultural identity develops and the more stable it is. This means that peo-
ple have a dynamic but stable integration of their culture (Usborne & Sablonnière, 2014).
The purpose of this report is to highlight the essence of the concept of cultural identity in the
context of cultural heritage, based on territorial identity, traditions and mentality, and its role
and factors that influence identity as a system to support the social development of the region
in the era of globalization.
2. CULTURAL IDENTITY AND HERITAGE IN THE AGE OF GLOBALIZATION
The question of cultural identity is relevant more than ever, given the political and economic sit-
uation in the age of globalization, as a result of which there have been many changes affecting
genders, religions, language, ethnic characteristics, regional specifics in traditions and, above
1 South West University Neophit Rilski, 66 Ivan Mihaylov, Str. 2700M Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Received: December 4, 2023
Accepted: April 19, 2024
Published: May 28, 2024
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Conference Proceedings
all, the value system of the population, which build the system of cultural identity. There are
quite a few negative effects on culture as a result of globalization, which has given rise to pop-
ular culture, posing a threat to traditions, beliefs and values, which would lead to a loss of cul-
tural richness and identity. The future of cultural identities under the influence of globalization
is uncertain, as it depends on how global interactions proceed and how cultures interact with
each other ( Tu nce r, 2 0 23).
Another main purpose of this work is to conceptualize the phenomenon of cultural identity as
a resource for social development and to reveal the features of the role of the cultural identity
of the region based on cultural heritage and its role in the attitude of the local population for its
preservation as a factor in the development of the sphere of culture and art in the region. This
can be realized by formulating the following tasks:
− An analysis of the state of cultural heritage and its influence on the cultural characteristics
of the population in the region is necessary;
− Analyzes the current state of studying the problems of IT of the population, its formation
and its impact on people‘s livelihood;
− The cultural diversity of the region as a driving factor for its socioeconomic development;
− Maximum use of the population‘s potential for the preservation and development of cul-
tural wealth by creating different approaches/models, and projects in the field of art and
culture;
− Analysis of the geospatial characteristics of the region and their impact on the lifestyle of
the population;
− Study the influence of all spheres related to the preservation of the cultural identity of the
region;
− determine the leading guidelines for the further use of IT by the population for various
purposes of the development of the territorial communities of people.
The tasks thus set are relevant to the role of resources and the overall potential of the region in
the context of traditions in culture and art known as cultural heritage.
Identities, whether they are based on class, gender, religion, nationality or some other social/cul-
tural marker – play a role in building social movements and ‘framing contention’ (Tarrow, 1998).
Identity itself develops under the influence of one main factor, and that factor is culture. Cul-
ture is constructed in the process of social and material existence within which individuals con-
struct their way of life. As a result, people also construct their way of self-expression by giv-
ing their meaning to themselves within the region they inhabit and identifying with its cultural
characteristics. The creation of cultural characteristics that distinguish one region from anoth-
er is a continuous process that is influenced by many factors - territory, nature, language, reli-
gion, history, traditions, and monuments that make up the cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage is a part of the history of a given territory or region and is a source of social
cohesion for the people who inhabit it. In this way, it is a prerequisite for determining the sense
of identity of the people, as well as a vitally important factor for the sustainable development of
a given territory and its positioning as competitive with other regions. Cultural heritage is spe-
cific to each region and is a set of features related to the language, customs, manners, traditions,
folklore diversity, natural features, and architectural-historical wealth, typical for a given com-
munity or group of people, which build their cultural identity.
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The Cultural Identity of the Region as a Sign of Social Development
Based on the above, it is worth noting the role of resources and potential in the field of culture
and art, which are a means of improving the investment climate in the region and creating a pos-
itive financial and economic effect. A special role in this matter should be given to the consider-
ation of geospatial components, which are of primary importance in the development and adop-
tion of constructive and rational management decisions.
In this scientific study, under the sphere of culture and art of the region, we understand a system
of interconnected enterprises, institutions, organizations and establishments of various forms of
ownership, creative unions and public organizations, operating in the relevant regional geo-cul-
tural space and directly involved in production, distribution, storage, the distribution and organ-
ization of consumption of goods and services for cultural, informational, artistic and decorative
purposes. Therefore, the geospatial organization of the sphere of culture and art is the relative
location of its elements, spatial connections (management, organizational, transport, informa-
tional, educational, scientific, creative, commercial) and territorial public entities (formations,
combinations, systems, structures) and their functioning (Shablii, 2003).
Some authors define cultural heritage as an important factor in shaping identity, calling it a
„historical reservoir“ (Ahmedova, 2023). Since one of the primary characteristics of a culture is
its „historical reservoir,“ many, if not all, groups make revisions, consciously or unconsciously,
to their historical records in order to strengthen the strength of their cultural identity or to forge
one, which provides they are a precedent for actual reform or change.
Some critics of cultural identity argue that the preservation of cultural identity based on differ-
ence is a divisive force in society and that cosmopolitanism gives individuals a greater sense of
shared citizenship (Chaim, 2003).
An element of the structure of any state is its constitution, which, apart from allowing it to be
included in the international society to which it presents its culture, also provides it with a basis
and opportunities for identification with other states. Each nation is characterized by its cultur-
al identity, built on its internal culture, which identifies it with other nations and is thus influ-
enced by external cultural realities. Nations provide the framework for cultural identities, called
external cultural reality, which influences the unique internal cultural realities of individuals
within the nation.
It is also noted that an individual‘s „cultural arena“ (Aristova, 2016), or the place where one
lives, impacts the culture that person abides by. The surroundings, environment, and people in
these places play a role in how one feels about the culture they wish to adopt.
A number of events such as many Western and Eastern influences, and the destruction of ethno-
cultural boundaries, in the last century, known as the era of globalization, are a threat to the era-
sure of the cultural identity of society, as they affect changes in views, thinking, values, which,
from in turn lead to changes in the way of life of the population. The high levels of technology
have led to many transformations that give rise to crises and threats to the loss of authenticity,
the results of which can lead to „cultural trauma“ (Danailova, 2004).
Cultural identity is the equivalent of authenticity. Different social groups are faced with the
dilemma of whether to give up their traditional cultural values or to come to terms with the
new changes (Gi nder, 2010), which in many cases affect their civil liberties. It is the civil and
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political liberties of the population that are necessary to create a favorable climate for maintain-
ing unity between the population and security in the region, respectively the nation.
Historically, cultural heritage expresses the millennial cooperation between nature and the way
of life of human society. At a time of constant new challenges, society must be responsible for its
conservation and take advantage of the opportunities to realize its potential arising from its di-
versity and dynamism. At the core of the concept of preservation of cultural identity is the idea
of preservation and respect for the land of the ancestors who inhabited a given region, the local
language, cultural heritage, social ideals and values transmitted through generations to the in-
habitants of the region. This causes cultural identity to become a large-scale direction that af-
fects the preservation and change of the multicultural characteristics of the region and the pop-
ulation that lives in it.
Culture is the shared characteristics of a group of people, which encompasses, place of birth, re-
ligion, language, cuisine, social behaviors, art, literature, and music. What constitutes cultural
identity is culture, which is a shared characteristic of a group of people, such as place of birth,
religion, language, cuisine, social behavior, art, literature, and music. Preserving cultural iden-
tity means preserving cultural heritage, tradition and race. Culture and its heritage reflect and
shape values, beliefs and aspirations, thus defining the national identity of people. It is impor-
tant to preserve our cultural heritage because it preserves our integrity as a people. Cultural
identities are influenced by several different factors such as one`s religion, ancestry, skin color,
language, class, education, profession, skill, family and political attitudes. They are directly re-
lated to the cultural identity of the society because they also determine the perception of the
main characteristics of its culture (Esquivel & Tafoya, n.d.).
Cultural identity refers to a person‘s sense of belonging to a particular culture or group. This
process involves learning and accepting the traditions, heritage, language, religion, origins, aes-
thetics, thought patterns and social structures of a culture ( Lustig, 2013).
There are three pieces that make up a person‘s cultural identity: cultural knowledge, category
label, and social connections. Cultural knowledge refers to a person‘s connection to their iden-
tity through understanding their culture‘s core characteristics (Wan & Chew, 2013).
The preservation of the cultural identity of a territory or a place can be done by researching and
studying languages, restoring historic artifacts found that are significant to its culture or her-
itage and encouraging the preservation and use of languages or rituals symbolic to them. It is
only possible through keeping close relations between the individuals and their own culture,
developed by the origin, experience, the origin and protecting the family traditions, spread out
among the population in the region.
Research in connection with the development of the sphere of culture and art in the region,
through its cultural-historical potential, became the reason for N. Abalmasov and A. Pine to
identify three models for constructing the cultural identity of the region or territory, through
impact on culture and art. The primary means of construction is the so-called token manage-
ment. Museums, monuments, manufactured goods, historical facts, heroes and real figures, lo-
cal natural, geographical objects, buildings specially built for these purposes, etc. become sym-
bols. The best model for the continuous influence of culture and art is various initiatives relat-
ed to these symbols every year, annually. This model is characterized by good planning by the
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The Cultural Identity of the Region as a Sign of Social Development
stakeholders and becomes a focus on bringing the community together. It is characterized by
a wide range of areas, consistency, duration and high enthusiasm for performance (Abal maso -
va & Pain, 2012).
For the development and offering of socio-cultural services to the population, it is necessary to
thoroughly analyze the main factors for their formation and development in the region. Globali-
zation has moved and strengthened the processes of regionalization, one of which is the process
of building and preserving the territorial identity (TI) of the population - a factor that deter-
mines the foundations and specificity of the main trends in the development of territorial com-
munities of people. This makes the question of researching this factor extremely relevant from
the point of view of social sciences, especially social geography.
There are not a few definitions defining the concept of „territorial identity“. Some of the Ukrain-
ian and Russian researchers identify this concept with regional identity. According to Krilov
(2005), it is a systematic set of cultural relations related to the concept of „small homeland“.
Turovski (1999) believes that this phenomenon is not so much cultural as cultural-political; it is
directly related to the political organization (and self-organization) of the territory, where the
cultural landscape can be counted as its primary basis.
According to the Anglo-Irish political scientist Anderson (2006), this is the individual‘s percep-
tion of himself as a representative of a certain „imagined community“, based on the unity of the
territory of residence, as well as history and traditions, socio-cultural experience, value orien-
tations and way of life inherent in the territorial community.
The Estonian scientist Raagmaa (2002) argues that it is identification with the social system of
a particular region, with its people, culture, traditions, landscape, etc.
Oikonomopoulou et al. (2023) consider territorial identity in the context of the cultural land-
scape as a complex and integrating concept with both material–physical and immaterial sub-
stance. They also state that the protection of the natural and cultural wealth of the region will
bring the achievement of balanced economic development and social cohesion, which ultimate-
ly leads to sustainable social development.
According to Za d vor n i i (2014), the main reasons and conditions for the formation of the cultur-
al identity of the population are:
- natural geographical conditions and resources of the territory;
- features of historical development;
- historical and cultural heritage and local traditions;
- ethnic, linguistic and religious characteristics;
- the economic specialization of the region and the quality of life of the population;
- political and administrative structure.
According to Ivanova (2002), the development of culture and art in the region is influenced by
the mentality of the population, the basis of which is its individual identity. She defines men-
tality as an expression of group consciousness in different historical periods and geographical
spaces, which means that culture is also mentality and has its components: group conscious-
ness (creation of cultural values), historical time (culture is inseparable from history), and geo-
graphical space (cultural traditions are tied to a certain territory). Art is also linked to mentality
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through the concept of culture. Just as culture is the most important and best thing that has
evolved in mentality, so art is the main and best thing that defines a particular culture.
Based on this, it can be argued that the identity of the region is one of the initial prerequisites
for the process of production of mentality, culture, and art, as well as their joint influence on the
characteristics of the very sphere of culture and art in the region, which is represented as a cir-
cle of 4 levels, as it is shown on Figure 1.
Territorial
Iden�ty
Cultural
Tradi�ons
ART
Cultural
iden�ty
Mentality
Figure 1. The levels that form the identity of a region
Source: Author based on Zadvornii, 2014
Depending on the degree of integration of tradition in social structures, the image of the socie-
ty and its future are determined in a certain sense.
On the other hand, tradition is one of the ways of ordering and structuring culture, which con-
solidates both the phenomena of the cultural space and the various spheres of the social system
into a completely integrated complex. The invariance, stability and sustainability of sociody-
namics, as well as the continuity of translation of sociocultural codes, which ensure the repro-
duction of meanings in historically changing conditions, largely depend on the status and role
of cultural tradition in society.
Frequent economic instability in the first two decades of the 21st century caused the emergence
of a new type of society with a new type of cultural behavior and cultural potential in terms of
traditions. The idea of tradition, in terms of values, which is a source of social order, in an era
of global cultural changes, already has other characteristics, dictates new socio-cultural condi-
tions and norms, but continues to be a prerequisite for sustainable development. The strategy of
sustainable development as a priority of civilizational dynamics in the conditions of global in-
stability can only be realized if tradition, realizing its bifunctionality, acts as a measure of iden-
tity and development orientation. At the same time, it is important to remember that cultural tra-
dition is not so much a specific mechanism for stabilizing development, but rather „an integral
feature of sociocultural dynamics, the nature of which is the establishment of value-semantic re-
lations between social states of time divisions public life” (Anochina, n.d.).
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The Cultural Identity of the Region as a Sign of Social Development
3. CONCLUSION
Cultural heritage is a mixture of natural, material and spiritual development and is the property
of society and as such helps to define cultural identity. It is a conscious memory and respect for
society’s past and a connection to the present. The maintenance of cultural identity can be ac-
complished by strengthening the individual’s ties to the local culture and his identification with
it. This identification is a process that develops based on learning and experience, interest and
knowledge of the individual’s background, getting to know and continuing the family traditions
and sharing them with the community in the region.
Cultural heritage is specific to each region and is a set of features related to the language,
customs, manners, traditions, folklore diversity, natural features, and architectural-historical
wealth, typical for a given community or group of people, which build their cultural identity.
Cultural identity is the main driving force of the socio-economic development of any region in
the conditions of modern dynamic transformational changes in society. Considerable efforts
are needed in all branches of the economy, especially in the sphere of culture and art, to moti-
vate society to implement creative and economic activities for the preservation of cultural iden-
tity. The results of these efforts can be seen based on continuous analyses and studies of cultur-
al identity, which will inform the development of strategies for the development of the regions.
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