The tenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took place in the Country Club and Resort of Windhoek in Namibia from 30 November to 4 December 2015. This session of the Committee was preceded by an opening ceremony organized by the Host Country on Sunday, 29 November 2015. As is customary, a non-governmental organization forum was held on the eve of this session, between 9.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, 29 November 2015.

Committee members are:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, India, Kyrgyzstan,Latvia, Mongolia, Namibia, Nigeria, Peru, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda and Uruguay.

For  this session was presented the files as it follows:
24 periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention, one periodic report of a State non party and 3 reports on an element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List (item 6)
8 nominations to the Urgent Safeguarding List (item 10.a)
35 nominations to the Representative List (item 10.b)
2 financial assistance request (item 10.c)
54 new accreditation requests submitted by NGOs (item 16)
69 contribution reports (item 16)

New inscriptions on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the countries of South-East Europe:

Bulgaria – Surova folk feast in Pernik region
The Surova folk feast, held in villages of the Pernik region, takes place on 13 and 14 January to celebrate the New Year. At night, a masquerade group called the Survakari performs in the centre, featuring characters like the newly-weds, the priest and the bear who visit homes the next day to ‘marry’ young couples and ‘maul’ people for good health. A meal is offered and donations collected for the needy. All ages participate, particularly young people, building their self-esteem.

Greece – Tinian marble craftsmanship
The art of marble-carving is an expression of the cultural identity of Tinos. Marble craftspeople possess empirical knowledge about the structure and properties of marble bearing rock. Transmission follows longstanding traditions where skills are passed on from master to apprentice, usually family members of the same family. Traditional motifs are mainly religious or apotropaic in nature often depicting cypresses, flowers, birds and ships and placed on buildings, churches and cemeteries. Designs for standard marble vessels and fanlights are used to bring fertility and prosperity.

Romania – Lad’s dances in Romania
Lad’s dances are a genre of men’s folk dance in Romania practised on festive occasions and as stage performances. One of the dance leaders trains the group, while the second leads the dance. Participants can be aged 5 to 70 and include Hungarian and Roma dancers, as well as Romanian dancers, contributing to intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. The dance helps young men to strengthen their status in traditional communities, particularly among girls and their families in anticipation of marriage.

Referred nominations of South-East European countries:
Armenia – Kochari, traditional group dance
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Konjic woodcarving
Multinational nomination by Bulgaria – The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Republic of Moldova – Romania – Cultural practices associated to the first of March

Withdrawn nomination at the request of the submitting State:
Slovenia – Traditional production of the Kranjska klobasa

For further information:

10 СОМ – http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/10com

Opening performance – http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/opening-performance-and-speeches-00838

NGO forum – http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/ngo-forums-00422