Definition of Cultural Center
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Javier Navarro, in Jun. 2014
The idea of a cultural center is applied to those venues in which cultural activities are organized: conferences, exhibitions, gatherings, etc. There is no specific model of a cultural center, since each one has a specific focus and specializes in a certain type of activity.
Already in ancient times there were places destined for the diffusion of culture. The most famous is the library of Alexandria, where in addition to books and documents, tasks of investigation in areas other than knowledge. The Library of Alexandria had a multidisciplinary spirit and that ancient world approach has survived to this day, being applied in what is now called a cultural center.
Large cities have been and are places of tradition cultural. In them there are entities and institutions that promote knowledge (museums, athenaeums, artistic groups, etc). And culture spreads because human beings believe in the benefits that are obtained from it. Culture is a useful tool to promote tolerance, the idea of beauty or civic values. Fostering culture among citizens is a way for them to have a fuller and more satisfying life.
Cultural centers are meeting places. In them, the participants share their concerns and exchange information. The communication that is generated in these centers allows a socialization of its members. Knowledge could be acquired alone and for this Internet is a powerful source of reference. However, culture reaches a higher level if it manifests itself in the company of others, if there is a center where skill and the individual concern can communicate with other people.
Currently there are new models of cultural centers. Those of a traditional nature continue to exist, although little by little they appear
innovative proposals. An example is that of neighborhood movements, which are organized outside of public institutions and put into functioning more open, participatory and creative cultural centers. This means that culture is dynamic and subject to evolution, just as it happens in cultural centers.