Spotlight on Heritage with Vincy Lau

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What Can Heritage Tell Us About a Place—and About Ourselves?
When we travel, we often seek out famous landmarks, historic buildings, or bustling markets. But what do these places really tell us? Are they simply tourist attractions, or do they hold deeper meanings about identity, memory, and community?

In the latest episode of Spotlight on Heritage, John Coster and Rob Watson welcomed Vincy Lau, a student from China studying at De Montfort University, to explore these questions. The conversation became a fascinating exchange of perspectives on the ways in which heritage is preserved, experienced, and understood in different cultural contexts.

From Xi’an to Leicester – A Tale of Two Cities
Vincy, originally from Xi’an, a city famous as the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Warriors, reflected on how her city’s long history is embedded in its landscape. She described Xi’an’s ancient markets, where the past is still alive—not just in the architecture, but in the daily rituals of bargaining, bird markets, and even cricket fighting. Markets, she noted, are more than just places to buy and sell; they are sites of cultural memory, where generations of people have gathered, socialised, and shaped their communities.

This idea resonated with the conversation about Leicester’s own heritage spaces, from the city’s historic outdoor market to its changing urban environment. Rob and John discussed how markets in the UK have evolved, shaped by economic shifts, changing shopping habits, and the rise of food courts and street food culture. The role of Leicester’s market as a space for new communities to establish themselves also highlighted the social and cultural significance of these spaces.

The Power of Photography in Capturing Heritage
As a photographer, Vincy shared how her work explores the stories hidden in everyday moments. Whether capturing street life in China or architectural contrasts in Leicester, she sees photography as a way to document and question how places change over time. Her interest in documentary-style storytelling led to a discussion about her upcoming participation in DocPhoto, an exhibition in Leicester that will feature her images from Xi’an alongside local photographers’ work on Leicester’s heritage.

The conversation also touched on tourism and heritage, raising interesting questions about how different cultures interact with historical sites. Vincy noted how Chinese tourists often see travel as a chance to document their experiences visually—snapping selfies, recording short videos, and sharing them on social media—whereas Western tourists may be more focused on slow travel and immersive experiences. This contrast sparked a broader discussion about how we engage with the past: do we simply visit places, or do we truly experience them?

Looking Ahead – A Heritage Exchange Between Xi’an and Leicester
One of the most exciting outcomes of this discussion was the idea of a cultural heritage exchange between Leicester and Xi’an. Inspired by the unexpected parallels between the two cities—both with ancient walls, historic markets, and rich cultural traditions—John and Vincy are planning a photography project that will showcase images from both places, inviting audiences to reflect on the universal and unique aspects of heritage.

Through this exchange, the project will not only highlight historical connections but also challenge assumptions about what makes a city’s heritage significant. Is it the age of its buildings? The stories its people tell, or the way it continues to evolve?

Heritage as a Living Experience
This episode of Spotlight on Heritage reminded us that heritage is not just about the past—it’s about how we connect with it in the present. Whether through the lens of a camera, a conversation at a market stall, or a walk through an old city street, our experiences shape and redefine what heritage means.

So next time you visit a historic site, a bustling market, or even just your own neighbourhood, take a moment to ask: what stories are hidden here? And what do they tell us about the world we live in today?