Kasane, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Intangible Heritage Committee has marked a significant milestone in the preservation of cultural heritage by inscribing 55 new cultural practices to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This announcement came during the committee’s meeting in Kasane, Botswana, from December 5 to 8, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the committee’s 18th session, chaired by Botswana, involved 24 State members who deliberated and decided on the new inscriptions. These include 6 practices on the Intangible Heritage List of Urgent Safeguarding, 45 practices on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and 4 on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
The updated list now comprises over 700 traditions and cultural practices from 145 countries, reflecting UNESCO’s commitment to preserving living heritage. During the session, two international assistance grants were awarded: one of 321,300 USD to Zimbabwe and another of 74,500 USD to Paraguay. Since the Convention’s inception, UNESCO has funded over 140 safeguarding projects in more than 70 countries, totaling upwards of 12 million US Dollars.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the importance of this Convention in safeguarding cultural diversity and local identities in a globalized world. She congratulated the communities and states involved in enriching the collective culture with their living heritage.
A significant aspect of this year’s inscriptions is the emphasis on family transmission of practices, highlighting the role of women as key guardians of traditions. The committee also recognized the importance of cultural dialogue, welcoming 12 multinational inscriptions and celebrating the first joint inscription by Angola, The Bahamas, Cameroon, Djibouti, and Grenada.
The 20th anniversary of UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was marked by a reflection on its impact and evolution. The Convention has expanded the definition of cultural heritage beyond physical monuments to include living elements like rituals, traditions, and skills. It prioritizes the voices of practitioners and local communities, integrating their cultural expressions into a global framework of protection and support.
UNESCO has also aided States Parties in incorporating the Convention’s rules and principles into national laws, ensuring a comprehensive legal framework for the safeguarding of intangible heritage. This approach mirrors the principles used for the protection of built heritage, involving educational and economic programs.
The next committee session is scheduled for December 2024 in Paraguay.