UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a prestigious designation awarded to intangible cultural practices and expressions from around the world, such as the Tango from Argentina and Uruguay, Kabuki from Japan, and Flamenco from Spain. This recognition is given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote and safeguard the world's intangible cultural heritage, including music, dance, theater, and craftsmanship, as seen in the works of Igor Stravinsky, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Pablo Picasso. The designation is considered a high honor, as it acknowledges the importance of these intangible cultural elements in the cultural diversity of humanity, as highlighted by Anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss and Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. The recognition also encourages the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) to support the preservation of these cultural practices.

Introduction

The concept of intangible cultural heritage was first introduced by UNESCO in the 1990s, as a response to the growing concern about the loss of cultural diversity and the importance of preserving cultural heritage, as discussed by Anthropologist James Clifford and Cultural Critic Homi K. Bhabha. The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention was adopted in 2003, and the first list of intangible cultural heritage elements was proclaimed in 2008, featuring elements such as Chinese Calligraphy from China, Korean Mask Dance from South Korea, and Mexican Mariachi from Mexico. Since then, the list has grown to include over 500 elements from more than 120 countries, including Brazilian Samba from Brazil, Indian Kathakali from India, and Moroccan Gnawa from Morocco. The designation is considered a significant recognition of the importance of intangible cultural heritage in the cultural diversity of humanity, as acknowledged by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

History and Purpose

The history of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity dates back to the 1990s, when UNESCO began to recognize the importance of intangible cultural heritage, as highlighted by UNESCO's World Heritage Centre and the International Committee of the Blue Shield. The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention was adopted in 2003, with the purpose of promoting and safeguarding the world's intangible cultural heritage, including oral traditions and expressions, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia and the Kalevala from Finland. The convention defines intangible cultural heritage as "the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage", as explained by Anthropologist Sherry Ortner and Cultural Theorist Arjun Appadurai. The purpose of the designation is to raise awareness about the importance of intangible cultural heritage and to encourage countries to take measures to preserve and protect these cultural practices, as seen in the efforts of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Selection and Designation Process

The selection and designation process for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity involves several steps, including nomination by a country, evaluation by a panel of experts, and proclamation by the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee, which includes representatives from France, China, United States, and Japan. The nomination process typically involves a thorough documentation of the intangible cultural heritage element, including its history, significance, and current state, as required by the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention. The evaluation process involves a thorough review of the nomination by a panel of experts, who assess the element's cultural significance, authenticity, and viability, as discussed by Cultural Critic Susan Sontag and Anthropologist Clifford Geertz. The proclamation process involves a formal recognition of the element as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, as seen in the recognition of African American Music from the United States and Celtic Music from Ireland and Scotland.

List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements

The list of intangible cultural heritage elements is diverse and includes a wide range of cultural practices and expressions, such as music, dance, theater, and craftsmanship, as seen in the works of Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare, and Johann Sebastian Bach. Some examples of intangible cultural heritage elements include Japanese Tea Ceremony from Japan, Indian Yoga from India, and Mexican Day of the Dead from Mexico. The list also includes elements from Europe, such as Spanish Flamenco from Spain, Italian Opera from Italy, and French Cuisine from France. Other examples include African American Blues from the United States, Brazilian Capoeira from Brazil, and Chinese Acrobatics from China, as recognized by the International Music Council and the International Theatre Institute.

Preservation and Protection Efforts

The preservation and protection of intangible cultural heritage elements require a range of efforts, including documentation, education, and community engagement, as discussed by UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Section and the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention encourages countries to take measures to preserve and protect their intangible cultural heritage, including the development of inventories and safeguarding plans, as seen in the efforts of the National Park Service and the Library of Congress. The convention also encourages international cooperation and collaboration to support the preservation and protection of intangible cultural heritage, as highlighted by the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee and the International Committee of the Blue Shield.

Impact and Significance

The impact and significance of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation are significant, as it raises awareness about the importance of intangible cultural heritage and encourages countries to take measures to preserve and protect these cultural practices, as acknowledged by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The designation also promotes cultural diversity and creativity, as it recognizes the importance of intangible cultural heritage in the cultural identity of communities, as discussed by Cultural Theorist Michel Foucault and Anthropologist Eric Hobsbawm. The recognition of intangible cultural heritage elements also has economic benefits, as it can support cultural tourism and local economic development, as seen in the efforts of the World Tourism Organization and the International Labour Organization. Overall, the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation is an important recognition of the importance of intangible cultural heritage in the cultural diversity of humanity, as highlighted by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Committee of the Blue Shield. Category:UNESCO