POLKA’S DIARY: LITERATURE AND HERITAGE EDUCATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TERRITORIAL IDENTITY
Abstract
Polka’s Diary is a literary and pedagogical proposal that explores the relationship between cultural heritage, collective memory and territorial identity through a narrative that invites readers to recognize the cultural and environmental values present in Latin American territories. The work emerges as a heritage education tool aimed at strengthening the bond between children, young people and communities and the landscapes, traditions, local stories and knowledge that shape their surroundings.
This paper analyzes the potential of literature as a mechanism for the social appropriation of heritage, taking as a reference experiences developed in the city of Cali and particularly in the Cali River basin, where narrative has been used to promote processes of environmental awareness, citizen participation and recognition of the cultural memory associated with the territory. Through the figure of Polka, stories are built that connect elements of natural and intangible heritage, fostering intergenerational dialogue and strengthening the sense of belonging.
From an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates architecture, cultural management, education and sustainability, it is argued that literary narratives can contribute to heritage conservation by transforming specialized knowledge into accessible and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences. It also reflects on the role of literature in building cultural citizenship and generating new ways of relating to urban and rural landscapes.
The experience presented shows how literary creation can become an innovative strategy for the dissemination, valorization and safeguarding of cultural heritage, providing tools to address contemporary challenges related to the loss of memory, territorial fragmentation and the disconnection of communities from their surroundings. In this sense, Polka’s Diary is proposed as a relevant case study for contemporary debates on Americanism regarding heritage, identity and community participation in Latin America.
Keywords: cultural heritage, collective memory, literature, heritage education, territorial identity, Cali River, Americanism.
