The Importance of the Digitization Process for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Serbia: Empirical and Statistical Findings

Abstract

Timely, comprehensive, and continuous protection, as well as the use and presentation of authentic tangible and intangible cultural-historical heritage of a certain area can greatly contribute to the economic, ecological and social development of the community and the strengthening of the competitive position. Digitization should relax all previously known forms of cultural expression and enable access to the broadest audience and their participation in cultural life. This paper has the ambition to contribute to a more comprehensive appreciation of the digitization process, facilitate access to digital content and motivate new thinking about the continuous improvement of the availability of movable and immovable cultural assets, as well as intangible cultural heritage. A primary questionnaire was created in order to assess the views and opinions of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia on the importance of the digitization process for the promotion of cultural heritage. The research sample was an opportunistic, convenient sampling of residents of the Republic of Serbia from all 5 regions (n=138). The importance of the digitization process for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage has been established. Modern technologies are insufficiently represented in the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, while this attitude is supported by a slightly higher percentage of respondents with the highest level of education. The importance of the digitization process for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage has been proven, and respondents with the highest level of education attach the highest degree of importance to it. The greatest contribution can be seen in the preservation of the national identity and cultural diversity of the national communities, of our region, with social networks being the media that can contribute the most to the promotion of cultural heritage.