Paris, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage with significant additions to its living heritage list. The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee, chaired by Botswana from December 5 to 8, witnessed the inscription of 55 new cultural practices. The convention, ratified by 181 State Parties, now boasts over 700 traditions and cultural practices spanning across 145 countries.

According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, this year’s session resulted in the inscription of six practices on the Intangible Heritage List of Urgent Safeguarding, 45 practices on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and four on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. The updated list reinforces UNESCO’s commitment to preserving diverse cultural practices around the world.

In a move that underlines the importance of cultural transmission, more than half of the newly registered practices involve techniques and know-how passed down within families, from one generation to the next. This emphasizes that intangible cultural heritage is not only about preserving traditions but also about the living transmission between individuals, often within family units.

The committee session also highlighted the pivotal role of women in the preservation and transmission of these cultural practices. They are often the primary guardians of these traditions, which also serve as sources of emancipation and empowerment for them.

In a record achievement since 2008, the committee inscribed ten cultural practices from sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting a global embrace of the convention. The session also celebrated the first-ever practice to be recognized as UNESCO living heritage by five countries simultaneously: Angola, The Bahamas, Cameroon, Djibouti, and Grenada.

Additionally, two international assistance grants were awarded: one to Zimbabwe for 321,300 USD and another to Paraguay for 74,500 USD. Since the inception of the Convention, UNESCO has financed over 140 safeguarding projects in more than 70 countries, totaling over 12 million US Dollars.

2023 marks a significant milestone for UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Over the past two decades, the convention has revolutionized the perception of heritage, recognizing its dynamic and living nature. The diverse cultural practices inscribed this year underscore the convention’s role as a catalyst for cultural dialogue across borders and its impact on preserving communities’ living heritage.