1. Key concepts in the Convention Unit 3 PowerPoint presentation
UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage Section

2. Word cloud of the Convention
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3. In this presentation … More about the Convention:
A flexible instrument
‘Anchoring the Convention’
Terms to be discussed:
Intangible heritage; elements
Communities, groups, individuals
Safeguarding
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4. The Convention – a flexible instrument
Few obligations
Few definitions
Open definitions
Non-exhaustive classifications (domains of ICH, safeguarding measures)
No official glossary
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5. ‘Anchoring the Convention’ at the country level
The term ‘ICH’ translated:
Di sản văn hóa phi vật thể (Vietnamese for ‘heritage – cultural, not [phi] tangible’)
Mukei (Japanese for ‘not having form’)
(Bulgarian for ‘non-material cultural heritage’)
(Russian)
(Tajik)
(Uzbek)
dědictví (Czech), dedičstvo (Slovak), baština (Croatian)
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6. INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
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7. The Convention’s definition of intangible cultural heritage (1)
Article 2.1:
the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills
– as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith –
that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
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8. The Convention’s definition of intangible cultural heritage (2)
Article 2.1 continues:
This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.
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9. The Convention’s definition of intangible cultural heritage (3)
Article 2.1 further:
For the purposes of this Convention, consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, and of sustainable development.
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10. Intangible heritage domains
Article 2.2 (a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; (b) performing arts; (c) social practices, rituals and festive events; (d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; (e) traditional craftsmanship.
Cultural space of Boysun District, Uzbekistan
© Uzteleradio Company of Uzbekistan
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11. Domains on a national level: food in Tajik national inventory
Article 2.2: The ‘intangible cultural heritage‘ (...) is manifested (...) inter alia
in the following domains’ (...)
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12. Cultural space of Boysun District (Uzbekistan)
Numerous traditional rituals are still alive in the Boysun District: on the eve of the spring festival of Navruz, for instance, a sowing ritual is held with offerings of food. Family rites also persist: 40 days after a birth, the evil spirits are chased away with fire and ashes; the circumcision of boys is accompanied by goat fights and various games, such as wrestling and horse races. Ancient practices are still often used to conduct wedding ceremonies, funeral rites and shamanistic rituals to cure the sick. Among other popular traditions are ritual chants linked to annual festivals, epic legends and dances. ...
© Uzteleradio Company of Uzbekistan
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13. Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan)
Aitysh/Aitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra or Kyrgyz komuz. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections.
The element is practised on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues.
© Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic
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14. GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
COMMUNITIES,
GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
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15. Defining the community concerned
Under the Convention, ‘communities, groups and individuals concerned’ means those who participate in the practice or transmission of the ICH element, and consider it to be part of their cultural heritage.
Kuresi in Kazakhstan © Ministry of Cultue and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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16. Relationship between an element and the community concerned
Creation, practice and transmission; stewardship
Communities, groups and individuals concerned
ICH
Sense of identity and continuity, enjoyment,
self-respect, sustainability, income generation
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17. Relationship between an element and the community concerned (scope)
Communities, groups and
individuals concerned
ICH
Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
© Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic
Cultural space of Boysun District, Uzbekistan
© Uzteleradio Company of Uzbekistan
Spring procession of ljelje/kraljice (queens) from Gorjani, Croatia
© Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia
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18. SAFEGUARDING
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19. Safeguarding concepts
Safeguarding means ensuring the viability of ICH (Article 2.3)
Threats to viability are current problems hampering the enactment and transmission of the element
Risks are anticipated problems
Kyrgyz epic trilogy: Manas, Semetey, Seytek
© Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic
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20. The Convention’s definition of safeguarding
Article 2.3:
‘Safeguarding’ means measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the intangible cultural heritage,
including the identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission, particularly through formal and non- formal education,
as well as the revitalization of the various aspects of such heritage.
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21. Key safeguarding measures
Inventorying
Presenting information on ICH elements in a systematic way
Awareness-raising
Encouraging people to understand and appreciate ICH
Revitalization
Strengthening of endangered ICH practices
Transmission
as a part of definition of ICH and as a specific safeguarding measure
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22. More safeguarding measures
Documentation, research
Identification, definition
Preservation, protection
Promotion, enhancement
Transmission, e.g. through education
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23. Role of communities in safeguarding
Note: community participation is needed in all these activities
Communities
Groups
Individuals engage in …
Identification
Inventorying
Documentation
Research
Revitalization
Ensuring access to places and materials
Transmission through education
Awareness-raising
and may do ...
Transmission
Enactment of ICH
with help from other agencies if needed
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24. In conclusion Intangible cultural heritage is living heritage
Always changing
Defined, recognized, practised and transmitted by the people (‘communities, groups and individuals’) who are the stewards of that heritage
Safeguarding involves assisting communities to continue practising, managing and transmitting their ICH
‘Communities, groups and individuals’ not defined under the Convention
States Parties need to involve communities, groups and individuals in safeguarding their ICH
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