What is Intangible Cultural Heritage? The 2003 Convention Implementing the 2003 Convention Working towards the 2003 Convention Questions & Answers Inventorying Intangible Cultural Heritage Intangible Cultural Heritage domains
safeguard intangible cultural heritage; ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned; raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and of ensuring mutual appreciation thereof; and
provide for international cooperation and assistance.
This brochure provides information about statutory organs and their functions, and operational directives (…) Download:English|French|Spanish
What is intangible cultural heritage? ‘Protecting’ or ‘safeguarding’? Why should we safeguard it? Why UNESCO? Why a Convention? How does the Convention work? How can intangible cultural heritage be internationally recognized under the Convention? Can religions or languages be recognized under the Convention? What can States do for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage? Can I receive funding for the safeguarding my intangible cultural heritage?
Are intellectual property rights dealt with by the Convention?
Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; Performing arts; Social practices, rituals and festive events; Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
Traditional craftsmanship.
Instances of intangible cultural heritage are not limited to a single manifestation and many include elements from multiple domains. While the Convention sets out a framework for identifying forms of intangible cultural heritage, the list of domains it provides is intended to be inclusive rather than exclusive; it is not necessarily meant to be ‘complete’. States may use a different system of domains. There is already a wide degree of variation, with some countries dividing up the manifestations of intangible heritage differently, while others use broadly similar domains to those of the Convention with alternative names. They may add further domains or new sub-categories to existing domains. (…) Download: English|French|Spanish in preparation
Fact sheets on Intangible Cultural HeritageFact sheets present the following safeguarding projects:
Three-year campaign to create interest in Colombia’s living heritage Revival of intergenerational transmission of Georgian traditional polyphony Open-air forum on intangible cultural heritage and conflict resolution in Kenya Literacy programme through teaching traditional oral poetry: the case of rural women in Yemen Safeguarding ICH through sustainable cultural tourism: the case of the Batammariba of Koutammakou, a World Heritage Site in Togo Documenting and revitalizing Tham Roc puppetry in Viet Nam The value of old recordings today: the case of Papua New Guinea Safeguarding board games of the Afar and Somali people of the Horn of Africa Traditional money banks in Vanuatu Documentation of musical heritage in Hungary The Cocolo dancing tradition, Dominican Republic
Shashmaqom - safeguarding of a common heritage, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan