26.11.2011 - UNESCOPRESS
New intangible heritage inscriptions from Belgium and China
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage meeting in Bali (Indonesia) until 29 November, today inscribed the two following elements from Belgium and China on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Leuven age set ritual repertoire (Belgium) - The age sets of Leuven, Belgium, are a decade-long rite of passage for men who share the same year of birth. Men form their group at age forty and participate in social and cultural activities that culminate ten years later with a celebration around the city’s statue of the prophet Abraham. Each age set chooses its own medal, flag and uniform, and has a ‘godfather’ a decade older. The age set rituals provide participants and the entire city with a strong sense of identity.
Chinese shadow puppetry (China) - Chinese shadow puppetry is a form of theatre whereby colourful silhouette figures perform traditional plays against a back-lit cloth screen, accompanied by music and singing. Puppeteers make the figures from leather or paper and manipulate them by means of rods to create the illusion of moving images. The puppeteers’ skills of simultaneously manipulating several puppets, improvisational singing, and playing various musical instruments are handed down in families and troupes, passing from master to pupil. Puppetry spreads knowledge, promotes cultural values and entertains the community, especially the youth.
The Committee is expected to evaluate 35 more nominations for their eventual inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as the session continues.
The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2003 and now includes 139 States Parties. Only those countries that have ratified the Convention are eligible to present items for inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage comprises 24 UNESCO Member States, elected for a term of four years. Half the Committee is renewed every two years.
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The entire session of the Committee is webcast:
http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/6COM/.
A photo gallery will is available at:
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http://www.unesco.org/new/en/med ... dia/photos/ith2011/
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- Follow the session via twitter.com/unescoNOW_fr and Facebook.com/unescofr.
- TV broadcasters can download footage at:
http://www.unesco.org/new/enn/me ... ews-videos/b-roll/.
- Media Contacts:
In Bali: Rasul Samadov; +62 (0)81 246 578 947
r.samadov(at)unesco.org
Pierre Beaulne: pr.beaulne(at)unesco.org
In Paris: Isabelle Le Fournis
i.le-fournis(at)unesco.org; +33 (0) 1 45 68 17 48
Broadcast media: Carole Darmouni
c.darmouni(at)unesco.org
