They act as a critical counter-balance, holding government agencies accountable for the protection of sites and protesting ill-conceived projects that threaten cultural heritage. Moreover, individuals play a central role in preserving intangible heritage, which includes the stories, languages, traditional skills, and local customs associated with a physical site. By sharing and transmitting this knowledge across generations, citizens infuse the physical monuments with meaning, preventing them from becoming mere empty shells and ensuring their continued relevance to contemporary life.
