Cultural Heritage

Delve into the rich tapestry of humanity’s cultural heritage, encompassing arts, history, and beyond.

With over 3,800 distinct cultures worldwide, as cataloged by anthropologists and recorded in Price’s Atlas of Ethnographic Societies—a number potentially underestimated—we can only begin to fathom the profound influence of these myriad cultural legacies across the globe.

Cultural heritage, as defined by Wikipedia, comprises the tangible and intangible assets inherited by a society from past generations. Not all remnants of the past qualify as “heritage”; rather, heritage emerges through societal selection.

This expansive term encompasses a vast array of elements, including customs, beliefs, rituals, arts, music, and more, shaping culture and behavior. It extends to practices related to the natural environment, religious and scientific traditions, language, cuisine, and even cyber cultures in the digital realm. Emerging cultures of the present are poised to become the heritage of the future.

Below, discover a diverse array of cultural heritage assets, ranging from the architectural influences of Indigenous communities to the impact on fashion, cuisine, and beyond. These narratives also shed light on historical events, viewed through the lens of contemporary society.

  • London Olympics.tower bridge pixabay

    In March 2012, Washington, DC celebrated its 20th anniversary of the Environmental Film Festival.  This Environmental film festival has become one of the world’s largest and most influential showcases of environmental films. The Environmental Festival presents a diverse selection of high quality environmental films, including many national and world premieres.  Executive Director Peter O’Brien shares with World Footprints audiences what this year’s festival holds. The Environmental Film Festival aims to connect students to the environment through educational film programming and interactive learning experiences. The Fest presents more than 150 films to an audience of over 33,000.  Often combined with thematic discussions and social events, our films screen at museums, embassies, libraries, universities and local theaters. Many of the screenings are free, and all are open to the public. Becoming a world-class athlete takes enormous determination, courage and faith. Anjali Forber-Pratt has all of those characteristics and more.  She is a [...]

  • ghandi statue

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before rebranding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Rajmohan Gandhi grandson of Mahatma Gandhi will share his views on various topics. Travel'n On listeners will discover the beautiful country of Israel with Arie Sommer, Israel Tourism Commissioner with the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Then Tonya & Ian will share the recording of a recent Town Hall meeting they facilitated for their good friend Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Rajmohan will share his thoughts about current world events, his grandfathers legacy and his role as the new president of Initiatives of Change (IOC). Author of more than a dozen books, Rajmohan Gandhi is a historian and biographer involved in efforts for trust-building and reconciliation. He has served as a Research Professor at the College of Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. From 1997 to 2012, he [...]

  • guitar. musician

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before rebranding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Let us take you through Washington DCs Duke Ellington Jazz Festival Your Traveling enthusiasts continue their destination music series with two men who have seen the world through and because of their music. Folk recording artist Willy Porter tells us all about some the unique music venues he has played at during his travels. Then, legendary Jazz manager and producer Charles Fishman, founder and executive producer of Washington DCs Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, shares some tales from the road from his travels with Dizzy Gillespie.

  • bayou

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Let's go to Northern Louisiana. Travel "Louisiana's Other Side" with Tonya & Ian as they take you to the northern parts of the State. First stop: a journey through Webster Parish and the Dorcheat Museum. Then Pro Bass Angler Homer Humphreys, the pride of Webster Parish, will regal you with countless stories about life on the Bayou and his encounters with Donald Trump and Tina Turner. Finally, you’ll walk through the Ford Museum in Homer, LA and discover how the museum is helping to preserve the history and culture of the North Louisiana Hill Country. The mission statement of the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum, Inc. is to establish and promote a strong sense of community pride by preserving our past for our future generations. We will make [...]

  • Vancouver olympic games

    Travel'n On continues their 2010 Winter Olympic coverage live from Vancouver & Whistler B.C. Ian and Tonya will first introduce tour guide Doug Neasloss and conservationist Viki Jackson, two individuals who work tirelessly on efforts to save two endangered species, the Spirit Bear and the Marmot, both who have been selected as mascots for the Winter Olympic Games.

  • New Orleans French Quarter Festival

    World Footprints officially launched its new brand during a special 2-hour broadcast in New Orleans during French Quarter Festival 2010. During this first hour, we are happy to reintroduce you to Mary Beth Romig, VP of the French Quarter Festival and a member of the Landrieu transition team.

  • Vancouver.Olympics.2.16.10

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Vancouver 's Winter Olympics left an indelible print on winter sports lovers. Securing the Canadian wilderness and protecting humans and bears alike are two big security challenges for the Olympics. Chris Doyle, of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment joins Travel’n on to talk about the challenges that the wilderness poses for these games and visitors alike. Then, travel philosopher and fellow journalist Bob Fisher will offer a cultural perspective of our northern neighbor and explain why Vancouver is a perfect hub for the 2010 Winter Olympics. In February and March of 2010, Vancouver took its place on the world’s stage by hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The venues for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games stretched over a 120-kilometre zone from Richmond, [...]

  • Accessible Traveler on Beach.Terry Ross

    Award-winning World Footprints goes exploring through the lens of a film maker who is bringing hope to millions, a cruise ship doctor turned novelist, and a barrier-free travel writer. Communities in crisis need knowledge and empowerment and award-winning FilmAid International provides both to millions of people suffering the effects of war, poverty, displacement or disaster.  Caroline Baron is the founder of FilmAid International and she joins us from the field to discuss the life-changing power of film. Dr. Paul Davis is a cruise ship doctor turned mystery writer.  Dr. Davis uses his insider knowledge and years of experience at sea as the backdrop for his new book Cruise Ship Crime: A Medical Mystery Murder.  Author/Dr. Davis's medical sleuthing takes us behind the scenes of the exciting life of a cruise ship doctor and gives us insider knowledge of the fast paced, colorful and romantic world of officers, crew, and passengers. [...]

  • Pes Obama welcomes the Texas Baylor Bears at the White House video image

    World Footprints had the honor of attending a special ceremony at the White House, where President Obama congratulated the 2012 NCAA Women's Basketball Champions, the Texas Baylor Bears.

  • african american migration

    From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people - America's Great Migration, changed the face of America. Wilkerson compares this epic migration to the migrations of other peoples in history.

  • Pres Obama and NY Giants. President hoding a jersey given to him by the New York Giants

    President Barack Obama welcomed the 2012 Super Bowl Champions, the New York Giants, to the White House in a memorable ceremony on the South Lawn. World Footprints had the privilege of covering this exciting event, where the President honored the team's incredible achievement and their triumphant season.

  • Children of St Benedict Orphanage greeting our arrival with steel drum music.

    Even in the middle of paradise, you can find poverty. This was something we witnessed while traveling through St. Vincent and the Grenadines. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting St. Benedict's Day Nursery and Orphanage.