BOGOTA’, DECEMBER 4 – Transhumance, the seasonal droving of livestock along migratory routes in the Mediterranean and in the Alps, Alpinism, and the Celestinian forgiveness celebration (Perdonanza Celestiniana) are among the over forty projects brought to the attention of the annual meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage taking place from 9 to 14 December in Bogota (Colombia).
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will be present at the opening of the Committee which meets one a year to monitor the implementation of this international legal instrument, which has been ratified by 178 States.
The Committee will also have to decide on six requests for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and a total of 41 requests for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Transhumance is a joint project of Italy, Austria and Greece, while Alpinism was submitted together with France and Switzerland. The Celestinian forgiveness celebration takes place every year on August 28 and 29 in the central Italian city of L’Aquila.
In addition, three projects are proposed for inclusion in the Register of Good Practices for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which currently includes twenty projects. The Committee will also examine a request for international assistance by Burkina Faso with a view to implementing a national training and communication programme for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.
The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding identifies elements of living heritage whose sustainability is threatened. It has 59 elements inscribed to date and allows States Parties to the Convention to mobilize the international cooperation and assistance necessary to strengthen the transmission of these cultural practices in agreement with the communities concerned.
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity currently contains 429 inscribed elements. It aims to ensure greater visibility for the cultural practices and know-how carried by communities without recognizing standards of excellence or or exclusivity.
The Convention promotes the safeguarding of cultural practices or living expressions inherited from generation to generation, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills necessary for traditional crafts. (@OnuItalia)