Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity was made by the Director-General of
Background
UNESCO defines oral and intangible heritage as "the totality of tradition-based creations of a cultural community expressed by a group or individuals and recognized as reflecting the expectations of a community in so far as they reflect its cultural and social identity."
Upon the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in November 2001,[8] UNESCO encouraged recognition and protection of intangible heritage in the same way as natural and cultural treasures of tangible heritage are protected.[9]
Although UNESCO has had a program (active since 1972) to protect the world's cultural and natural heritage, known as the
The idea for the project came from people concerned about
The spectacle of Djemaa el Fna is repeated daily and each day it is different. Everything changes – voices, sounds, gestures, the public which sees, listens, smells, tastes, touches. The oral tradition is framed by one much vaster – that we can call intangible. The Square, as a physical space, shelters a rich oral and intangible tradition.
— Juan Goytisolo, in a speech delivered at the opening meeting for the First Proclamation, 15 May 2001[11]
Proclamations
Beginning in 2001, the new program has started identifying various forms of intangible heritage around the world for safeguarding through a Proclamation.[1] Under this act, national governments acceding to the UNESCO Convention, known as member states, are each allowed to submit a single candidature file, in addition to multi-national nominations, of intangible cultural heritage occurring within their territories.[5] The nominated intangible heritage may fall into two categories as set by the program:[15]
- forms of popular and traditional cultural expressions; or
- cultural spaces, i.e., places where cultural and popular activities are concentrated and regularly take place (markets squares, festivals, etc.)
The nominations are evaluated by a panel of experts in intangible heritage, including specialized
- demonstrate their outstanding value as masterpiece of the human creative genius;
- give wide evidence of their roots in the cultural tradition or cultural history of the community concerned;
- be a means of affirming the cultural identity of the cultural communities concerned;
- provide proof of excellence in the application of the skill and technical qualities displayed;
- affirm their value as unique testimony of living cultural traditions;
- be at risk of degradation or of disappearing.
Furthermore, the nominees should be in conformity with UNESCO ideals, in particular, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[15] The nomination proposals also had to provide proof of the full involvement and agreement of the local communities and to include an action plan for the safeguarding or promotion of the concerned cultural spaces or expressions, which should have been elaborated in close collaboration with the tradition bearers.[15]
Through the nomination process, the member states are encouraged to compile an inventory of their intangible heritage, raising awareness and protection of these treasures. In turn, the proclaimed Masterpieces receive commitment from UNESCO in financing plans for their conservation.[1][2]
Proclamations in 2001, 2003 and 2005, designated a total of 90 forms of intangible heritage around the world as Masterpieces:
Proclamation | Date | Jury president | Number of candidature files received | Number of Masterpieces proclaimed | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | May 18, 2001 | Juan Goytisolo (Spain) | 32 | 19 | [1] |
2nd | November 7, 2003 | Juan Goytisolo (Spain) | 56 | 28 | [2] |
3rd | November 25, 2005 | Princess Basma Bint Talal (Jordan) | 64 | 43 | [3] |
Current status
The increasing number of candidature files received and number of Masterpieces proclaimed every two years meant that UNESCO's goal of raising awareness on the importance of the protection of intangible heritage has been achieved. The rise in the number of participating member states led to the 2003 adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which took effect in 2008.
The process for designating an element for the list follows similar steps as the proclamation.[18] The former role of the jury was supplanted by a new body known as the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.[19]
In addition, UNESCO established a separate program, identifying elements for the
In 2003, UNESCO drafted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which provides an international framework, source of funding, and strategic overview for the further identification and protection of these masterpieces and other intangible cultural heritages. The convention went into force on 2006, and has since been approved by over 130 members.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "UNESCO ISSUES FIRST EVER PROCLAMATION OF MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE". UNESCO Press. 2001-05-18. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ a b c "UNESCO Twenty-eight masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity proclaimed". UNESCO Press. 2003-11-07. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ a b c d "The Samba of Roda and the Ramlila proclaimed Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". UNESCO Press. 2005-11-25. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ a b c "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "UNESCO TO PROTECT MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY". UNESCO Press. 2000-05-10. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ a b c d e f "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003". UNESCO. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ "UNESCO What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?". UNESCO. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ "Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity" (PDF). UNESCO Press. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ "Linguistic Diversity: 3,000 Languages In Danger". 2002-02-19. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ a b "WORLD CULTURE REPORT 2000 CALLS FOR PRESERVATION OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE". UNESCO Press. 2000-11-17. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ Juan Goytisolo (2001-05-15). "Defending Threatened Cultures". Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ "Kun Qu Opera". UNESCO.
- ^ "Nôgaku Theatre". UNESCO Culture Sector. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ BBC, Close-Up: Catalonia's human towers
- ^ a b c d e "Proclamation of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2001-2005)". UNESCO Press. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ "Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage". Archived from the original on 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ "The Intangible Heritage Lists". Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ "Forms for nominations, proposals and assistance requests". UNESCO Culture Sector. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ "Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage". Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ "The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding". Retrieved 2009-09-05.