Intangible cultural heritage

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) refers to the practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. Unlike tangible heritage, which includes physical objects and sites, intangible cultural heritage consists of living traditions that are transmitted from generation to generation and continuously recreated in response to social, cultural, and environmental contexts.

According to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), intangible cultural heritage includes, among others, oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.

Intangible cultural heritage plays an important role in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of globalization. It provides communities with a sense of identity and continuity, promotes respect for cultural diversity, and contributes to social cohesion and sustainable development. Because it is living and dynamic, intangible cultural heritage is vulnerable to disappearance due to factors such as urbanization, migration, environmental change, and the decline of traditional modes of transmission.

The safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage focuses on ensuring its viability rather than freezing it in a fixed form. Safeguarding measures include documentation, education, promotion, legal protection, and the support of the communities who create and transmit this heritage. UNESCO maintains Representative and Urgent Safeguarding Lists to raise awareness and encourage international cooperation in protecting intangible cultural heritage worldwide.