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.

  • 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. [...]

  • Encore.Road2Freedom.4.13.10 0

    World Footprints will travel along The Road To Freedom with author and former civil rights activist Charlie Cobb as he introduces us to the places of the movement and the personalities who made those places historically relevant. His book titled " On the Road to Freedom " gives a guided tour of the Civil Rights Trail. Then meet fellow travelers Scott Hartblay and Christine Bischoff as they recount their independent journeys along the civil rights trail through Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. 

  • Baltimore Grand Prix 1

    Ladies and Gentlemen…Start Your Engines!  That was the start command heard during the inaugural IZOD Indycar Baltimore Grand Prix. World Footprints went behind the scenes into Pit Row and trackside to bring interviews with racing icons Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi and Baltimore Grand Prix winner Will Power, a Team Penske member. 

  • 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 [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • 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.

  • Stone wall

    This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel’n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. World Footprints will travel along the award-winning journalistic trails of the CRAZY RIVER, explore prehistoric Spirit Stones, and contemplate the end of the world in Maya 2012. First, award-winning travel writer Richard Grant will take us through East Africa and down the Nile River.  Despite escaping death in Mexico’s lawless Sierra Madre, an adventure he describes in his adventure classic God’s Middle Finger, Richard’s curiosity and restlessness took him to Africa, where he set off on another adventure-- to find the source of the Nile River.  In his newest book, CRAZY RIVER: Exploration and Folly in East Africa, Richard writes that he had trained and prepared for a physical adventure in the wilderness, but his biggest challenges were intellectual. Then, award-winning author Dianne Ebertt Beeaff shares her transcending [...]

  • New Orelans FQF 2012 video image

    If you're looking for a party, the New Orleans French Quarter Festival is the perfect place to start. This footage is from our visit to New Orleans for our annual live broadcast in 2012. We joined a vibrant city full of folks ready to let the good times roll.

  • View of Fort McHenry in Baltimore

    World Footprints takes you on an enlightening historical tour of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. Guided by "Dr. William Beanes," we delve into the significant events of the War of 1812 and learn about key figures, including Francis Scott Key, who penned the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."