Theme: Heritage Undiscovered – Debating the Unrecognised

The MAATI Convention 2025 invites scholars, conservationists, architects, historians, and researchers to contribute to a critical dialogue on unrecognised heritage—its significance, challenges, and the need for inclusive conservation frameworks. While many sites and traditions enjoy formal recognition, numerous cultural assets remain in obscurity despite their historical, social, or cultural value.

This convention aims to challenge conventional heritage narratives, explore gaps in recognition, and propose innovative methodologies for documentation, conservation, and policy development. We seek papers that address undiscovered heritage from multiple perspectives, including tangible and intangible heritage, the impact of modernisation, the role of local communities, and frameworks for recognition and protection.

Sub-Themes:

🔸 Recognised vs. Unrecognised Heritage – The Need for Inclusive Conservation
Heritage recognition often overlooks diverse cultural assets. This theme explores biases in selection frameworks, strategies for integrating unrecognised heritage, and safeguarding undocumented tangible and intangible cultural heritage to promote inclusivity.

🔸 Reviving the Neglected – Forgotten Histories and Abandoned Heritage
Forgotten histories and abandoned heritage shape cultural identity. This theme examines the impact of neglect, methods for rediscovery, and the role of intangible heritage—oral traditions, rituals, and crafts—in revitalising lost narratives.

🔸 Heritage and Disasters – Initiatives Preparing for Resilience
Heritage faces increasing risks from disasters and climate change. This theme focuses on risk management, recovery strategies, resilience planning, and how traditional knowledge can enhance community-driven heritage protection.

🔸 Heritage Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century and Beyond
Urbanisation, globalization, and climate change threaten heritage. This theme explores modern challenges, innovative conservation tools, collaborative efforts, and strategies to safeguard cultural diversity in an evolving world.

🔸 Balancing Historic Identity with Contemporary Needs
Preserving historic integrity while adapting to modern needs is complex. This theme examines adaptive reuse, ethical redevelopment, and case studies that successfully integrate heritage into contemporary landscapes.

🔸 Intangible Cultural Heritage: From Documentation to Revival
Globalisation endangers intangible heritage. This theme discusses strategies for documentation, safeguarding oral traditions, performing arts, crafts, and festivals, and successful community-led revival initiatives.

🔸 Policies and Frameworks for Heritage Preservation
Existing policies must evolve to protect both recognised and unrecognised heritage. This theme critiques current frameworks and explores inclusive policies, sustainable governance, and integration with development goals.

🔸 Education and Advocacy for Heritage Conservation
Awareness and education are key to conservation. This theme highlights heritage advocacy, community engagement, skill-building, and successful initiatives that foster cultural stewardship and preservation efforts.

Submission Guidelines

• File Naming Format:
  
  
  • Abstracts: A_[Your Name]_[Email]
    • Example: A_Maria Khan_maria@maatishala.com
      
      
  • Full Papers: P_[Your Name]_[Email]
    • Example: P_Maria Khan_maria@maatishala.com
      
      
• Please adhere strictly to the prescribed paper format and presentation format, available for download at the link below. Non-compliance may result in disqualification.

Important Dates:

📩 Abstract Submission Deadline: 26 April 2025
✅ Notification of Abstract Selection: 10 May 2025
📝 Full Paper Draft Submission: 25 July 2025
📌 Final Paper Submission Deadline: 29 August 2025
📊 Submission of Presentations: 20 September 2025
🎭 MAATI Convention 2025: 3rd–5th October 2025

📧 For queries write to us at: maatikatha@maatishala.com

We look forward to your contributions in uncovering Heritage Undiscovered and shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for heritage conservation.

Note: Please review the reference material for submissions available here before submitting.

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We look forward to hearing from you!