___________
Ulf
Hjorth-Moritzsen
Every
night, beacons from a vast amount of Lighthouses along the many
coastlines of the world cut through the darkness in order to provide
guiding and safety for seafarers. This is an unbroken operation
which has been going on for centuries. In fact we know for sure
that already in 285 B.C. the Lighthouse at Pharos served the Harbour
of ancient Alexandria.
The
first Lighthouses were probably fires built on hillsides in
order to guide ships. Later more complex buildings were erected.
Quite many of these buildings represented comprehensive
challenges with regard to design and construction, and where in
many ways the engineering and architectural wonders of those
days.
As
Satellite navigation has become mandatory on most ships these
days, Lighthouses no longer play the same role in order to
provide navigational beacons. Lighthouse
keepers do not any longer spend lonely days and weeks isolated
in their Lighthouses. Most Lighthouses of to day are automatic
and remote operated and consequently human presence is no longer required.
Fortunately many of the old and venerable Lighthouses
are still in operation. Others have been turned into museums and
are operated by voluntary organizations. It is a nice thing that
so many of these proud buildings remain intact and that they are
maintained and made accessible to the public.
However it is also very regrettable that many Lighthouses,
representing our cultural heritage and such an important part of
our history, are in decay. But what else can one expect in a
society where shallowness, decadence and reality TV has become
the major fashions. It is good reason to fear that the western society for
still many years to come, will be tormented by the hustle for
efficiency improvements and profit margins, and that in the mean
time our cultural legacy and our traditions will suffer.
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