UNESCO provides direct access to online tools on living heritage and its safeguarding
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Open access ressources © Shutterstock The educational and knowledge management tools developed by UNESCO are available in open access format and range from capacity building for trainers to data visualization, sustainable development case studies and references for researchers: DIVE into Intangible Cultural Heritage: Using web semantics and graphic visualization, Dive into Intangible Cultural Heritage’ proposes a conceptual and visual navigation through almost 500 elements inscribed on the Lists of the 2003 UNESCO Convention. It explores the different elements across domains, themes, geography and ecosystems, highlighting their profound inter-connections. Capacity building: UNESCO has developed a comprehensive set of capacity-building materials comprising more than 60 thematic training units which are publicly available online. The materials are available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Portuguese. UNESCO encourages users to customize the materials to the needs of the local country context. A network of facilitators was trained on using the materials to provide training and advisory services. All materials are available in open access format; A video animation: Let’s discuss gender and intangible cultural heritage with a facilitator’s note on how to use it for training purposes; Sustainable Development toolbox: The toolbox is aimed at anyone interested in learning about the links between intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development. It includes more than 30 examples from around the world and complements existing training materials developed under UNESCO’s global capacity-building programme. Interactive bibliography of references for researchers related to the 2003 Convention: Hosted by UNESCO and led by independent researchers, this project intends to enhance dissemination of living heritage-related research for all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the 2003 Convention (States Parties, communities, civil society, practitioners and others). It also aims to foster better communication among researchers working in the field of intangible cultural heritage. At present, it contains more than 1,000 references in 10 languages. Explore the interactive bibliography. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Intangible heritage during lockdown
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Children beat drums from rooftops as part of tamboradas celebrations in Hellin, Spain, April 2020, which took place from homes this year rather than on the streets. © Redmi Note 8 – Aid Quai Camera While physical distancing and confinement are affecting the way we live, some communities are finding creative ways to adapt to the circumstances and continue practicing their living heritage. If you have a story to share, we encourage you to get in touch through our online survey and send with us videos or pictures you may have. We will be featuring different stories on the UNESCO website and communication platforms in the coming weeks. For more information, contact ich-com@unesco.org. In line with UNESCO’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on culture, the Secretariat launched a survey to exchange and document experiences of living heritage during the COVID-19 pandemic. A dedicated webpage will soon be published to share this information and to promote further learning on the topic. Coming from all continents, responses so far have shown the diversity of ways intangible cultural heritage is being affected. During the period of Lent, for example, many festive events and celebrations related to intangible cultural heritage were restricted or disrupted. In Croatia, the procession of Za Krizen (‘following the cross’), inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was held this year in changed circumstances, ensuring continuity of its 500-year history. Normally attracting thousands, the procession this year was restricted to only 15 participants from each of the six towns around the World Heritage site Stari Grad Plain (Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska). Marija Plenković, Director of the Jesla Municipal Museum, said that news that the procession would be going ahead, even with the drastically reduced number of participants, was met with relief by the community who recognised the historic importance of this year’s event. “The continuity of this tradition gives people a sense of persistence. The procession is deeply rooted in the identity of the local community”, she said by email. The circumstances of this year’s event, she added, recalled the partial interruption of the procession during the Second World War in 1943 when the island was under Italian occupation and only 12 people from each town were allowed to participate. The Holy Week processions in Popayán, Colombia, also inscribed on the Representative List, were similarly affected by the ongoing crisis. One of the oldest traditions in Colombia practised since the colonial period, the processions attract a great many people to the region every year. While the event could not take place at the same scale due to the crisis, its transmission was ensured through digital media, including a series of conferences, talks, announcements and videos organized by the Fundación Junta Permanente Pro Semana Santa. In Spain, the tamboradas drum-playing rituals, which form an integral part of Catholic Holy Week celebrations, were not performed in the streets this year. Instead, the Peñas de Tamborileros de la Semana Santa de Hellín (Association of Drummers’ Clubs of the Holy Week of Hellín) in Castile-La Mancha, launched the slogan ‘Stay at home’ and invited the drummers to play more than ever from windows, balconies and terraces of the city. At 5pm on the Friday of Sorrows, the sound of simultaneous, intense beating filled the city as parents and children took their balconies, creating an atmosphere charged with emotion and feeling of collective communion. These examples remind us of the continued importance of intangible cultural heritage in the lives of many during times of crisis in providing a sense of belonging and solace from the difficult circumstances we face. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Living heritage experiences in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Generalitat of Valencia postponed the celebration of Las Fallas Festival 2020 traditionally celebrated in March over coronavirus prevention. Spain, 12 March 2020. © Vivitta/Shutterstock While we are currently going through extraordinary conditions of lockdown on a global scale due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are also seeing the ways in which the impact of this crisis goes beyond our physical health. Festivals and cultural events are being cancelled or postponed, and cultural practices and rituals are being restricted, causing disruptions in the lives of many people. At the same time, we are seeing how living heritage can be a source of resilience in such difficult circumstances, as people continue to draw inspiration, joy and solidarity from practising their living heritage. With this in mind, UNESCO is inviting its partners to share their experiences on the role of living heritage during the pandemic and how its safeguarding has been affected in the immediate term. We hope that these stories will help enhance our learning about safeguarding living heritage in the context of COVID-19 and inspire communities to learn from each other and exchange experiences. Please send us your experience through our online form (English|French|Spanish). You may wish to include information directly collected by your organization or other stories that you are aware of related to living heritage during the coronavirus pandemic. We also encourage you to circulate this call with your networks and communities who may be interested. For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly: ich.com@unesco.org. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]