18th Annual Meeting of the South-East European Experts Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage
LIVING HERITAGE IN URBAN CONTEXTS Online,17 September 2024 / Warsaw, Poland, 9-11 October 2024 The meeting, to take place from 9 to 11 October 2024 in Warsaw, Poland, will be hosted by the UNESCO Chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Public and Global Governance based at the University of Warsaw and the City of Warsaw (Culture Department), and organised by UNESCO with the support of the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-East Europe based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The workshop in Warsaw will be preceded by an introductory webinar on 17 September 2024. The webinar and the workshop in Warsaw will reflect on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts, considering the interplay between the implementation of the 2003 Convention and city management and cultural and policies. Building upon UNESCO´s recent developments in this thematic area, the workshop is designed as a “deep dive” into urban living heritage, leveraging Warsaw’s experiences as a compelling case study to foster discussions and to inspire innovative approaches and future action. To this end, the meeting’s programme will incorporate presentations from State Parties and city representatives, interactive exercises, excursions to Warsaw’s cultural institutions, hands-on workshops with living heritage practitioners, and informal discussions and networking opportunities. The 18th Annual Meeting of the Network will bring together for the first time the Country focal points for the 2003 Convention (CFPs) with culture/cultural heritage professionals or other relevant representatives of city administrations to reflect on how to strengthen measures for safeguarding living heritage in urban environments. Participating cities (one per country) and their representatives will be selected in consultation with the State Parties concerned considering the respective experiences and country contexts. Purpose of the meeting: Share knowledge and experiences in integrating living heritage in TVET and higher education from operational and policy perspectives, inspiring new initiatives. Support regional networking collaboration for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Cover picture: © City of Warsaw – “W” hour celebration in Warsaw, Vistula River
Opening of the Traditional Crafts Week at the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv
English version will be available soon
Week of Traditional Crafts in Plovdiv
From June 24 to June 30, 2024, the Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv will host the XVI Week of Traditional Crafts. This event has become a tradition in Plovdiv’s cultural calendar and attracts many visitors yearly. At the event, visitors can watch or participate in a wide range of products made from felt, embroidery, fabrics, candles, baskets, and decorative Easter eggs. They can also try sculpting a cup or a plate from clay on a potter’s wheel, witness the metal transformation by knife makers and blacksmiths, and explore a diverse selection of jewelry. This year’s Crafts Week begins with Midsummer Day (June 24, Enyovden) – a revered day in our folk tradition related to herbs and healing. We will make wreaths and sing blessings over them with Enyova’s bride. The emphasis of the Week will fall on the craft of felting. In this regard, the national exhibition “Bulgarian Felted Textiles – A Message from Antiquity” will be opened, including felt carpets from all over the Bulgarian territory, with the participation of six museum institutions. Partner and supporter of the annual Week of Crafts is the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-East Europe under the auspices of UNESCO.
Twelfth annual coordination meeting of category 2 centres active in the field of intangible cultural heritage
The 12th annual coordination meeting of the category 2 centres active in the field of intangible cultural heritage was held on 13 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. It was attended by representatives of all 8 World Centres in Algeria, Bulgaria, Iran, China, Japan, Peru, Republic of Korea and United Arab Emirates. There were two main topics for discussion: Strengthening capacities to safeguard intangible cultural heritage using multi-modal approaches and contribute to sustainable development Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and climate change (one of the thematic initiatives of the 2003 Convention) Chayana Istatkova, expert ‘International Activity’ in the Regional Centre Sofia- UNESCO, presented the capacity building activities implemented in the Member States, as well as the seminars for youth under the Erasmus program. She also pointed out the latest projects of the Centre and joint event on the international scene. For further information: Category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO 12th annual coordination meeting – documents UNESCO News