Preservation of the Alanian cultural heritage in the context of globalization

Abstract

The article deals with the problems of preserving the Ossetian cultural heritage in the context of globalization. The purpose of this article is to analyze the main challenges to the Ossetian culture and practical recommendations aimed at preserving it. Special attention is given to the objects of cultural and natural heritage located in the territories of both North Ossetia-Alania and the Republic of South Ossetia. The methodology is based on a generalization of empirical data and comparative analysis related to cultural heritage in a state that does not have a generally recognized status. Particular importance is attached to a number of important documentary sources, in particular, UNESCO conventions and declarations, along with expert assessments. The novelty of the study is due to considering, indeed, for the first time, the problem of cooperation between the international organization that deals with the preservation of cultural heritage on the global scale, viz. UNESCO, and the state only partially recognized. The author comes to the conclusion that the Ossetian culture, on the whole, successfully resists the challenges of globalization: the national way of life, language and traditions are preserved despite the division of the ethnos by the Caucasus mountain range. However, there is a problem of preserving tangible cultural heritage on the territory of South Ossetia due to existing geopolitical situation that has resulted in the republic remaining underrepresented on the international platforms.