ICH NGO FORUM - Newsletter

The ICH NGO Forum has the pleasure to announce that the Newsletter is now back with the publication of the first edition of 2022. The Forum remains committed to strengthening the active and meaningful participation of NGOs in the implementation of the 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage. Likewise, the Forum would like to inform its membership organizations that the Newsletter is now open to welcome news on shared mutual experiences, key updates that speak to the sustainable founding mission of our Forum. (Sekou Berte, Communication Officier, Steering Committee of the ICH NGO Forum)

Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage 9th General Assembly of States Parties ICH NGO Forum - Seminar 2022 Good Safeguarding Practices for Human Security

Over the past year, the ICH NGO Forum has mapped the expertise and safeguarding practices of 85 accredited NGOs across all regions of the world. Speakers at this side event will discuss how they employ ICH to mediate conflicts, build community resilience in crises, mitigate impacts of climate change, support economic wellbeing, improve the lives of women and girls, safety and integration of displaced persons, ensure food security through traditional agricultural practices and help to create a healthy and sustainable environmentProgramme Chair Laurier Turgeon, Folklore Studies Association of Canada, Chair of the ICH NGO Forum Steering Committee Women’s Activities in Maintaining Sustainable Agricultural Practices: The Geochang Cooperatives Hwang Eui Dong, Center for Intangible Culture Studies (CICS), South Korea Traditional Wisdom in Everyday Life : Supporting Social Transformation Cholponai Usbalieva-Gryshchuk, Aigine Cultural Research Center, Kyrgyzstan Intangible Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict and Post-

« Good Safeguarding Practices for Human Security », to be held on July 5th from 1 :00 to 3 :00 PM on site at the UNESCO headquarters, room 6

Dear Accredited NGOs and Delegates / Chères ONG accréditées et Délégués, You are cordially invited to the seminar on « Good Safeguarding Practices for Human Security », to be held on July 5th from 1 :00 to 3 :00 PM on site at the UNESCO headquarters, room 6, (cold buffet served on site) organized by the ICH NGO Forum during the 9th session of the General Assembly of the State Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO Headquarters, 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75007 Paris, 5 to 7 July 2022. - Because room 6 cannot accommodate more that 57 people, advanced registration is requested by sending an email to Laurier.Turgeon@hst.ulaval.ca and to rbtbaron@gmail.com as soon as possible and no latter than Sunday 18h00 Paris time. Places will be attributed on a first come first serve bases.  Vous êtes cordialement invités à participer au séminaire sur « Les bonnes pratiques de sauvegarde pour la sécurité humaine », le 5 juillet de 13h00 à 15h00 qui se tiendra dans la salle 6 (buffet

ONLINE EVENT: Apply to the Fund of the 2003 Convention for the safeguarding of the ICH / ÉVÉNEMENT EN LIGNE : Faire une demande au Fonds de la Convention de 2003 pour la sauvegarde du PCI

The Living Heritage Entity presents the online event ‘Apply to the Fund of the 2003 Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage’ which will take place in March 2022.  Three information sessions are organized to present the International Assistance mechanism of the 2003 Convention, the modalities and the process of application. In addition, the Toolkit for requesting International Assistance from the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will be presented. This guideline introduces key concepts of the Convention, the criteria for receiving funding and how to plan and monitor projects.To participate, please register for one of the following sessions:·       22 March 2022 from 9:00 to 11:00 (Paris time): Presentation of international assistance for the Asia and Pacific region. Interpretation will be available in French and English. Link to register: https://unesco-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpde6oqDgjE92Xb9pumsRLX-wb9reH4DHK·       24 March 2022 from

Publication of the Evaluation of UNESCO’s Action in the framework of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

This second evaluation focussing on the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereafter the 2003 Convention) marks the first follow-up exercise to the cycle of Internal Oversight Service evaluations of UNESCO’s six culture conventions. The main purpose of this 2021 evaluation was to generate findings, lessons learned, and recommendations regarding the relevance and effectiveness of UNESCO’s action in the framework of the 2003 Convention.As the second youngest UNESCO Culture Convention, the 2003 Convention has been one of the most successful, not only because it has reached nearly universal ratification only fifteen years after entering into force, but especially because it has succeeded in raising awareness of the distinct nature and importance of intangible cultural heritage. Stakeholders attribute this achievement largely to the Convention’s Representative List as well as to UNESCO’s vast capacity building programme.At the same time, the 2003 Convention has been a victim of its own success. As demand for UNESCO support grows, the Secretariat is unable to adequately respond to all requests and has had to give precedence to statutory work over important priorities that include strengthening capacity building and policy guidance as well as managing and communicating on the considerable amounts of knowledge generated around the Convention. Strategic decisions on priorities, particularly on the need to focus on programme support versus statutory requirements and on use of its limited resources will need to be made in the near future. Evaluation of UNESCO’s action in the framework of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Link: <a href="https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380015?2=null&queryId=2c4a5731-c4a2-4ff4-bfe3-884155eb8fee">https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380015?2=null&queryId=2c4a5731-c4a2-4ff4-bfe3-884155eb8fee</a>

The Composition of the new Steering Committee for 2021-2022

Executive positions of the Steering Committee for 2021-2022(from top left to bottow right in the photo):Mr. Martín Andrade- Pérez, Mr. Laurier Turgeon, Mr. Sekou Berte, Mr. Mohammed Mohamed Lemine Beidieu,  Ms. Janet Blake,  Mr. Robert Baron, and Ms. Tamara Nikolic Deric (on the separate photo). Laurier Turgeon, - President Janet Blake – Vice President Robert Baron – Secretary Martín Andrade- Pérez - Treasurer.  Steering Committee 2020 - 2021 Western Europe and North America: Mr. Laurier Turgeon - Folklore Studies Association of Canada (Canada) - President Eastern Europe: Ms. Tamara Nikolic Deric – Association House of Batana (Croatia) Latin America and the Caribbean: Mr. Martín Andrade- Pérez- Erigaie Foundation (Colombia) - Treasurer Asia and the Pacific: Ms. Janet Blake – Persian Garden Institute for Living Heritage - (Islamic Republic of Iran) – Vice President Africa:  Mr. Sekou Berte - Mali Cultural Heritage Agency (Mali) -- Responsable for CommunicationsArab States:  Mr. Mohammed Mohamed Lemine Beidieu

The results of the third call for Arab States, Eastern Europe and Latin America

The voting for ICH NGO Forum Steering Committee Elections will be held online on December 14 2021 and December 15 until noon Paris time (GMT+1:00).A voting link will be sent to one designated email for each accredited NGO.Please click here to fill up the designated email id for your NGO  using an online form. Please complete this before December 13, 2021 08:00 PM Paris time (GMT+ 1:00) Only NGOs who submit email id through this form will get a voting link.The presentation of the candidates for the elections will be held Monday 13 December online at 17h30-19h30 Paris time (GMT+1:00)Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89211424568?pwd=bGI1NWlkSEIzcnBxWVBPeUw5Wm40dz09Meeting ID: 892 1142 4568Passcode: 584051The candidates elected will be announced on Wednesday 15 December during the General Assembly of the ICH NGO Forum, at 17h30-19h30 Paris time (GMT+1:00)Link: https://unesco-org.zoom.us/j/98667893587Passcode: 536809List of candidates and application files:Africa (Group V a):- M. Sekou Berte, Mali Cultural Heritage

2003 Convention: 16.COM Information on registration and election / 16.COM Informations sur les enregistrements et elections

Following my previous message on 3 December last regarding the fully online meeting modality of the upcoming sixteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (13–18 December 2021), I would like to provide further information on the following three aspects:1.          Registration for the 16.COM Information and exchange session (10 December 2021)2.          Registration for the 16.COM (13 to 18 December 2021)3.          Voting by secret ballotShould you have queries, please contact the Secretariat at ichmeetings@unesco.org.Yours sincerely,Tim CurtisSecretary, Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage1.          Registration for the 16.COM Information and exchange session (10 December 2021 - 2.00 to 3.00 p.m., Paris time)An Information and exchange session will be held through the Zoom platform on Friday, 10 December 2021 from 2.00 to 3.00 p.m (Paris time). The purpose of the meeting will be to introduce, in the presence of t

Survey on Article 21

Please visit the mentioned site below for the Survey on Article 21:--- English version below ----Chers représentants des ONG accréditées auprès de la Convention de 2003,Nous, membres du groupe de travail ad hoc sur l'article 21 de la section IV des statuts du Forum des ONG du PCI, aimerions vous présenter ci-dessous un bref questionnaire complété par des informations générales pour votre lecture.Lien vers le questionnaire en français : https://forms.gle/XnhPD6dpmHztqVXh8Merci beaucoup pour votre collaboration !---------------------------------------------Dear Representatives of the accredited NGOs to the 2003 Convention,We, members of the Ad hoc working group on Article 21 of Section IV of the ICH NGO Forum Bylaws, would like to present a short questionnaire supplemented by background information for your perusal below.Link to questionnaire in English: https://forms.gle/Pz6DNgqmZroWvHnN9Thank you very much for your collaboration.

Editorial Board Meeting #HeritageAlive Chaired by Eivind Falk (Norwegian Crafts Institute)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89211424568?pwd=bGI1NWlkSEIzcnBxWVBPeUw5Wm40dz09  Meeting ID: 892 1142 4568 Passcode: 584051 (All times indicated are Paris time (GMT+1:00)  Tuesday 14 December   13h15-14h15 #HeritageAlive Meeting Chaired by Eivind Falk (Norwegian Crafts Institute)

PROGRAMME FOR THE ICH NGO FORUM (16COM 2021)

All meetings will be held online. Please find attached the final programme of the ICH NGO Forum activities during the week of the 12th to the 18th of December.PROGRAMME FOR THE ICH NGO FORUM (16COM 2021) The ICH NGO FORUM meetings during 16COM will all be held online.Participants may access the meetings online at their convenience throughout the week by clicking on this Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89211424568?pwd=bGI1NWlkSEIzcnBxWVBPeUw5Wm40dz09 Meeting ID: 892 1142 4568Passcode: 584051(All times indicated are Paris time (GMT+1:00) Saturday 4 December 13h30-18h00Online workshop to present an overview of the 2003 Convention, the role of NGOs, the ICH NGO Forum and the programme and participation at 16COM.The workshop is especially geared to respond to the needs and questions of the newly accredited NGOs, but we welcome all NGOs interested in keeping up with recent developments and wanting first-hand information to better prepare for 16COM.French language session: 13h30-15h00 (Paris time) (Led by Laurie

PROGRAMME FOR THE ICH NGO FORUM (16COM 2021)

Dear ICH NGO Forum members, We are writing to inform you that all of the ICH NGO Forum meetings will be held online. The Secretariat of the ICH Convention advised us yesterday of this decision. We are currently revising the programme of activities to adapt it to this new situation. Please be advised that we will maintain all of the planned activities (symposium on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Paris time, Monday evening election speeches, AGA on Wednesday, and working group meetings during the week). The only difference is that the time slots may change slightly in order to adapt to the changes in the ICG meeting schedule, which should be sent to us tomorrow. We aim to send you the revised final programme of the ICH NGO Forum meetings as soon as possible, hopefully tomorrow, Friday 3 December. We thank you for your patience and understanding in these challenging times. The Steering CommitteeICH NGO Forum

Online International Conference on the Craft of the Miller

In 2017: the craft of the miller was the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ first inscription on the Representative List of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. However: this craft is not unique to the Netherlands. By organising an international online conference: we aim to bring together wind- and watermill parties from all over the world to share knowledge and skills and develop an international network of millers and mill societies. Initially we intended to convene a conference in the Netherlands: but due to COVID-19 it could not take place. We decided not to wait until we can meet in person. Therefore we are organising an online meeting. You find the programme here: https://network.molens.nl/If you are unable to attend this conference but you would like to receive news about future activities: please send an e-mail to: craftofthemiller@molens.nl

Online Stage

The “ONLINE STAGE” platform on the EAFF's website provides an easy way to promote folklore music and dance video performances: which in just a few steps will be visible on the website of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF.The aim of the initiative is to present records of high artistic value to keep alive the traditions of the nations.The unique virtual stage will provide you a stage to present yourself: despite the current global situation: delighting fans of folklore art. You can send your video to the "online stage" with just one click.The "ONLINE STAGE" section is part of the eponymous new section of the EAFF's website: which also provides access to the overview-documentary festival films: to the editions of the TV show "World Folklore Art" and to the monthly TV shows of the TV Championship by EurofolkTV .The new section also takes you to the opportunity to become viewers and listeners of EAFF's main media partners - Eurofolk's online television and online radio. Enjoy the emotions with

X World Championship of Folklore "World folk 2020" ONLINE

The team of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF: (ICH) partner of UNESCO welcomes all the performers in the field of the folklore arts!We are pleased to announce that the jubilee X edition of the World Championship of Folklore "World folk" 2020 will be held in two formats - traditionally: in a real environment and virtually: on the Internet. The online version of the Championship is a result of the pandemic situation around the world and in response to the imposed measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. In this regard: EAFF offers a new platform for performance and creative contacts for all folk groups: which do not have the opportunity to travel and attend the event live! Join the online edition of the X World Championship of Folklore "World Folk" 2020 and become part of the upcoming virtual contest!With this new form of communication: let us overcome isolation and stay together in this challenge: because folklore has always been: is and will be shared knowledge! Of course: online partici

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival finds the ways to do it online

Thousands of cultural and heritage events throughout the world have been cancelled due to covid-19 pandemic. Kaustinen Folk Music Festival: the major Finnish folk music and dance event and one of the majors in Northern Europe: also had to tell this sad message to its dedicated friends. In order to support practising and sharing living heritage under current conditions and to keep up the festival community: consisting of 4000–5000 professional and amateur performers and 40000–50000 visitors annually: a virtual online festival was quickly created. The core of the VirtualKaustinen 2020 online event: 13.–19.7.2020: is the general invitation to all willing groups and individuals to record video performances: upload them to Youtube and share the link to the festival organization. Several hundred videos are expected: and the festival publishes daily a selection of dozens of links. The programme also consists of daily streamed concerts and workshops: interviews and a webcast radio by The Finnish Folk Music Institute

Volunteers for ad hoc sub-committee for the ICH NGO Forum report at 15.COM

Volunteers for ad hoc sub-committee for the ICH NGO Forum report at 15. COM (See below for the french version) Dear colleagues, we hope that this email finds you well and safe from the spread of Covid-19. As you know, at 14. COM the Intergovernmental Committee decided to include our report as a separate agenda item at its next session. It will be first such report in the history of the Forum, and it requires our due attention. Several members of the Steering Committee had an online meeting with UNESCO Secretariat, where we discussed formal requirement for the report. It is expected to be no longer than 5 pages; it may use as a model the reports of ad hoc working groups; the greatest attention should be given to the draft decision as the binding part of the agenda item, while overall contents of the report is up to the Forum to decide. The deadline for completing the English version of the report is the end of September. The Secretariat will translate it into French, and both versions needs to be available at the UNESCO website by 2 November (i.e., a month in advance to 15. COM). Further on, the Steering Committee discussed the contents of the report, and have identified the following parts as the most important: (i) report on the Forum’s activities prior and during 14. COM and on activities prepared for 15.COM, and their contextualization in relation to the role of NGOs in safeguarding ICH in general; (ii) Forum’s views and suggestions pertaining to three important ongoing topics in the work of the Intergovernmental Committee, namely (a) the reform of the listing mechanism, (b) the role of NGOs and possible reform of the accreditation system, and (c) ICH in emergencies; (iii) resilience of communities and their ICH against Coronavirus epidemic (this last topic representing a special, currently burning example of ICH in emergencies in general terms). In order to secure the broadest possible participation of ICH NGOs in the preparation of the report, we have decided to launch an invitation to all accredited NGOs to join ad hoc working subcommittee that will be directly and actively involved in the needed analyses to be conducted and the drafting of the report. It is expected that the work of the subcommittee will be organized into several groups that will be in charge of the above-mentioned parts of the report; members of each group will communicate regularly through email correspondence and online Skype meetings. Those of you who would like to join in, please contact Naila Ceribasic (ichngoforum@gmail.com), a secretary of the Steering Committee who will coordinate the work of the subcommittee, no later than 15 June 2020. With best wishes, Steering Committee of the ICH NGO Forum Volontaires pour le sous-comité ad hoc pour le Rapport du Forum des ONG du PCI à 15. COM Chers collègues, Nous espérons que ce courriel vous trouve bien et à l’abri de la propagation de Covid-19. Comme vous le savez, à 14. COM, le Comité intergouvernemental a décidé d’inscrire un point séparé de l’ordre du jour sur le Rapport du Forum des ONG pour sa prochaine session (15.COM). Il s’agira du premier rapport de ce type dans l’histoire du Forum et il va requérir notre plus grande attention. Plusieurs membres du Comité directeur ont tenu une réunion en ligne avec le Secrétariat de l’UNESCO, au cours de laquelle nous avons discuté des exigences formelles du Rapport. Il ne devrait pas dépasser 5 pages; il pourrait s’inspirer des rapports des groupes de travail ad hoc; la plus grande attention devrait être accordée au projet de décision en tant que partie contraignante du point de l’ordre du jour, tandis que le contenu général du Rapport se met à la discrétion du Forum. La date limite pour rédiger le Rapport en anglais est fin septembre. Le Secrétariat le fera traduira en français, et les deux versions doivent être disponibles sur le site Web de l’UNESCO au plus tard le 2 novembre (c’est-à-dire un mois à l’avance pour 15. COM). Par la suite, le Comité directeur a examiné le contenu du Rapport et a identifié les parties suivantes comme les plus importantes: (i) rapport sur les activités du Forum avant et pendant 14. COM et sur les activités prévues pour 15.COM, et leur contextualisation en ce qui concerne le rôle des ONG dans la sauvegarde du PCI en général; (ii) Points de vue et suggestions du Forum concernant trois sujets importants en cours d’examen dans les travaux du Comité intergouvernemental, à savoir (a) la réforme des mécanismes d’inscription sur les Listes de la Convention, (b) le rôle des ONG et la réforme éventuelle du système d’accréditation, et (c) PCI dans les situations d’urgence; (iii) la résilience des communautés et de leur PCI contre l’épidémie de coronavirus (ce dernier sujet représente un exemple particulier, actuellement brûlant du PCI dans les situations d’urgence en termes généraux). Afin d’assurer la participation le plus large possible des ONG du PCI à la préparation du Rapport, nous avons le plaisir de vous inviter cordialement à toutes les ONG accréditées à se joindre au sous-comité de travail ad hoc qui sera directement et activement impliqué dans les analyses nécessaires à mener et la rédaction du Rapport. Il est prévu que les travaux du sous-comité soient organisés en plusieurs groupes qui seront chargés des parties susmentionnées du Rapport ; les membres de chaque groupe communiqueront régulièrement par courriel et par des réunions Skype en ligne. Si vous voulez s’y joindre, veuillez contacter Naila Ceribasic, secrétaire du Comité directeur qui coordonnera les travaux du sous-comité, par courriel à l’adresse ichngoforum@gmail.com au plus tard le 15 juin 2020. Avec nos meilleurs vœux, Comité directeur du Forum des ONG du PCI

Workshop on ICH management in Pernik, Bulgaria

The Regional Centre Sofia organizes two-days workshops on 'ICH management' in different cities in Bulgaria in the frames of the project named “Safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage through enhancing civil society’s participation on the process of formulating: implementing and monitoring of policies and legislation”.After the first workshop in Ruse and the following in Koprivshtitsa: Burgas and Vratsa: the last planned workshop will be held in the city of Pernik on March 5-6: 2020.More information: available in Bulgarian* Link: http://www.unesco-centerbg.org

Nordic-Baltic ICH Network established, Kaustinen ICH seminar 2019 video available online

The Nordic and Baltic network on Intangible Cultural Heritage was established 13.7.2019 at the Kaustinen Intangible Cultural Heritage Seminar 2019. The organization of the network will be discussed in a satellite meeting associated with the first Nordic ICH conference Living heritage in the Nordic countries. International seminar on the UNESCO 2003 Convention, 31.10–1.11.2019 in Hanaholmen Cultural Centre, Espoo, Finland. See more information on the network and watch the Kaustinen seminar video( <a href="http://www.kansanmusiikki-instituutti.fi/toiminta/nordic-baltic-ich-network/"> http://www.kansanmusiikki-instituutti.fi/toiminta/nordic-baltic-ich-network/</a>/).

Beer Culture in Belgium

Belgium and beer is synonymous as the culture holds high demand for it. Until the 1960s children eating lunch at school had the choice of beer (called table beer low in alcohol) as their drink. Consumption and demand for beer is a tradition and the range of different kinds of beer in Belgium is constantly growing. Although statistically Belgium has fewer breweries than that of some states in the US, Belgium has more diversity when it comes to beer styles and their brewing processes. There are some 1500 types of beer, all using different fermentation methods. Many local Belgian beers are brewed in micro-breweries. These beers having their own brands reach many locals who consume the beer with any kind of social gatherings or events. Master brewers will often teach courses in universities and other venues in order to help transmit their skills to aspiring brewers and amateurs alike. Beer culture in Belgium was inscribed in 2016 to the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. References: ICH UNESCO, Wikipedia

The oldest sport in Ireland: Hurling

The oldest sports in Ireland is Hurling. It predates Christianity as there are records of it being played in 1200 BCE. This ancient game is some what unknown to the rest of the world. Hurling is a team sport that involves 15 players on each side, chase and try to score on the opponents’ goal with a ball known as Sliotar (leather covered cork centered ball). Much like sports that have two halves consisting of 25-35minute time frame, the team with the most goals win the match. Hurling resembles field hockey, lacrosse and soccer how it is played out. The sport promotes good health, wellbeing, and team spirit. Today Hurling is preserved and transmitted through coaching and games in schools and clubs. Hurling was inscribed in 2018 to the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. References: ICH UNESCO, WIKIPEDIA

DANCE AWARD SEASON 2020: Where you are the protagonist!

The Dance Grand Prix present the International Competitions and invite your dance school/group to compete and performing at the most prestigious "Art Cities Theatres" in Europe."Barcelona Dance Award" in Spain from 9 to 13 April 2020 during Easter Spring Time.and"Dance Grand Prix Venice-Florence" in Italy from 22 to 26 June 2020 during Summer Time.To find out how to qualify: mail the office: so Directors should act right away for next Year!Unfortunately: in this year: space has been limited and many groups have failed to register: and we hope do not have this kind of problems: for your dance group: next 2020 editions!If you need: just in a few days you will receive (free on charges for you!) some advertising materials from us:the brochures and posters of the Dance Grand Prix 2020 Season: reply to this e.mail for request of info.our info email: eurodancebarcelona@gmail.comFull Name: ___________________________________________School/Company Name: ________________________________Email Address: __________________

Rebetiko: Urban Greek music

Rebetiko or can be described as the urban popular song of the Greeks, originating some time from the late 19th century to the 1950s. Rebetiko is associated with the Urban lower and working class population of Greece whom created songs and sounds from their daily life. Often the lyrics were describing the lower standards that the impoverished faced along with their struggles that the mainstream population were able to make connections. The earliest origins of Rebetiko is from mainly coastal cities in today’s Asia Minor with large Greek communities during the Ottoman era. Rebetiko emphasizes the importance of living musical tradition with a strong symbolic, ideological and artistic character. The Transmission occurs orally through live performances. Bouzouki is the one of the main instruments of Rebetiko, which looks a lot like the guitar but has three strings. Rebetiko is closely related to the nightlife entertainment of Greek taverns and Hookah shops. In 2017 Rebetiko was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. You can watch "Rebetiko" on youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHewYT_hfXg&feature=youtu.be"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHewYT_hfXg&feature=youtu.be/</a> References: ICH UNESCO, Wikipedia

The Carnival of Basel: Three best days in the year of Switzerland

The Carnival of Basel is the biggest carnival in Switzerland and has been listed as one of the top fifty local festivities of Europe. Taking place on Monday after Ash Wednesday at precisely 4:00 am, Carnival of Basel otherwise known as Basler Fasnacht turns the city upside down for 72 hours. The locals call it “Three best days” in the year. All the lights in the city center are turned off and over 200 painted lanterns fill the streets along with hundreds of drummers and piccolo players marching together showing cohesiveness. This is known as Morgestraich that fill the streets. Participants in the parading is required to remain in incognito, parades are often disguised behind political, celebrity, satirical figures. This brings social cohesion through social criticism, making this unique carnival inclusive and overall great for the social dynamic of the city. The Carnival of Basel in Switzerland has been inscribed to the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. You can watch "The Carnival of Basel" on youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGbugKe7Rw&feature=youtu.be"> httpshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGbugKe7Rw&feature=youtu.be/</a> References: ICH UNESCO, Wikipedia, Basel Culture Unlimited(www.basel.com)

Kolo: Serbian circle dance

Kolo is a Serbian circle dance that involves the dancers holding each other’s hands or each other’s waist, forming a chain of dancers that revolve in circle. Kolo has different but similar forms throughout Southeastern Europe and phonetically ~oro or ~olo maintains in calling this art of circular dance. Kolo is mainly performed at weddings, religious ceremonies, and any other social gatherings. The participants are both male and female, although there are parts to the dance where it requires one gender to take over as the main role. Traditional attire of Kolo involoves the men having to wear caps, loose blouse tucked into their pants that balloon around their thighs and eventually tightening from the knee down to the ankles. The women have to wear king white embroidered dresses with velvet aprons tied at their waist. The sustainability and transmission process of Kolo is both protected and processed on a national and regional level as it is not only a symbol of national identity but also has regional and local touches to its art form. The masters and bearers transmit Kolo through dancing with participants who engage in Kolo as their national dance. Kolo is both taught in schools and in specialized music schools and has a deep root in the minds of all Serbians. References: ICH UNESCO, Wikipedia

Madur and Patachitra at Hungary Heritage House

2 traditional handicraft artists from rural West Bengal (Patachitra and Madur weaving) have reached Budapest on 13th Aug. Hungarian Heritage House is hosting a Patachitra exhibition starting 15 August onwards. On 17th onwards the Handicraft artists will be at Festival of Folk Arts at Buda Castle. Request all friends to please visit both the exhibition to be at held at Hungary Heritage House House ground floor Exhibition Hall and then the festival of Folk Art at Buda Castle. Aug 15 is India's Independence Day (73rd year of Independence) and we are happy that Indian Ambassador in Budapest will inaugurate the exhibition at 5 pm on 15 Aug.

Flamenco of Spain: Andalusia Region State of Mind in motion

Andalusia of Spain is a hotbed for multicultural assets as it borders the Iberian Peninsula. Cross cultural interchanges between the native Andalusians, Romani, Castilians, Moors, and Sephardi Jews have made this region rich in unique art. Flamenco is one of them. This complex set of motions able to express joy, fear, triumph, and sadness is quite an unique set of motions. The performers differ in style and techniques depending on the sex; as males use more of their steps aggressively and profoundly in motion, as females use much more sensual movements often suggesting their vulnerability with more grace in their movements. Toque or the art of guitar playing is the choice of music accompanying the Flamenco, as well as the castanets along with hand clapping and foot stamping. Flamenco has become a staple in community fairs, religious festivals, as well as in private groups in a more casual setting. Flamenco is inscribed to the 2010 list of representing Intangible Cultural Heritage. The transmission process is very much alive as this artform has a wider audience and academies around the globe, long surpassing the Flamenco schools and clubs of Spain.

Kurenti: Door to Door custom of Slovenia

From Candlemas to Ash Wednesday Kurenti practices of going from house to house to perform dances and form circles around the owners happen. The practice helps strengthen interpersonal bonds and is key to the regional identity of the communities concerned as it is believed that the noisy bell-ringing and brandishing of their wooden sticks chase everything evil away and bring happiness to those they visit. The Kurenti costume consists of sheep skins, girded with chains that hold huge cow bells, leg warmers and a headgear with horns or feathers, a pointed nose and a bright red tongue. It is the most distinctive among some 150 traditional costumes preserved in Slovenia. Kurenti was inscribed to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017. Kurenti has been in transmission through regional communities, schools, workshops, and Federation of Kurenti Associations which oversees all of the processes. Kurenti knowledge and skills are most commonly transmitted within the family, but youngsters also learn from elderly members of the groups they are part of and schools and museums play an important role by organizing activities, workshops and contests. References: ICH UNESCO, STA(<a href="www.slovenias.SI">www.slovenias.SI</a>)

Kaustinen Intangible Cultural Heritage Seminar 2019 and Folk Music Festival (7/8/19-7/14/19)

Kaustinen Intangible Cultural Heritage Seminar 2019The impact of Unesco nominations on community-based safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage – experiences and practices.Date: July 13th: 2019 Location: Folk Art Centre: Museosali: Jyväskyläntie 3: Kaustinen: FinlandThe seminar’s aim is to elaborate the role and impact of Unesco’s lists of intangible cultural heritage in safeguarding cultural heritage. What effect have nominations brought to practitioners in different Baltic and Nordic countries? What ways are there to promote good safeguarding practices? What role might NGOs take in the process? What kinds of threats or downsides are there in following the safeguarding framework of the convention?In the seminar we’ll hear presentations reflecting different ICH elements from Norway: Sweden: Estonia: Latvia and Finland. Seminar is free of charge and held in English.Registration until 10th of July: anne.virkkala-harju@kaustinen.fi (Limited number of seats!)Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2019The seminar is a

The Lithuanian folk dance revival by the Lithuanian Ethnic Culture Society

Ethnic dance of Lithuanian folk dances were widely popular among the general population before World War II. Due do the suppression of traditional heritage during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the folk dancing took a down turn in popularity. Many decades later the folk dance tradition is back thanks in large part due to the Traditional Dance club established in Vilnius in 2002 by the Lithuanian Ethnic Culture Society, The clubs are run mainly to spread and promote the almost lost social function of folk dancing. The suppression during the Soviet occupation has not deterred the main spirit of the performance, as it has now spread all over Lithuania and other European countries as well. What started out in small clubs in cafes, small restaurants, and halls have moved into much larger venues and have become a festival surrounding the folk dance itself. The Clubs are open to everyone and participants are able to learn dances from various Lithuanian ethnic regions and musicians perform live music with accordion, bandoneon, violin. Now the traditional dance clubs run summer camps often performed outside while the participants reside in tents. These venues have many practitioners and performers come from all over Lithuania and throughout Europe as well. The main two factors that come to mind regarding the Lithuanian folk dance clubs are that it encourages a network of dance clubs to collaborate and the diversity of expression while at these events. The gathering of folk musicians, and those that want to see the folk dance revived has made this cultural activity a unique place of learning and participating in cultural activity. To See the reference, original story and more, please visit Nordic Safeguarding Practices Website below: <a href="https://www.nordicsafeguardingpractices.org/good-practice/reviving-folk-dance-in-lithuania/">https://www.nordicsafeguardingpractices.org/good-practice/reviving-folk-dance-in-lithuania/</a>

"Current problems in the study of intangible cultural heritage and the implementation of the Convention 2003. Contributions of BAS scientists"

In 2019: the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) has a jubilee - 150 years since its creation. In this occasion: in the period 17-19 October 2019: BAS: together with the Regional Center for Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeastern Europe under the aegis of UNESCO: organized an international scientific forum on the topic: "Current problems in the study of intangible cultural heritage and the implementation of the Convention 2003. Contributions of BAS scientists". Deadline for submission of applications for participation (author: institution: position: subject: summary with up to 800 signs) is June 15th: 2019. Application must be sent to ban_ich_rc@abv.bg The forum will be held in SOFIA: BAS: CENTRAL GOVERNANCE: GREAT HALL There will be also accompanying events as concerts: exhibition: etc. Transport and accommodation expenses are participants' obligation. Application form is in www.eaff.eu

Living Cultural Heritage - Safeguarding, Practices, Information Technologies LCH-2019

Living Cultural Heritage -Safeguarding: Practices: Information Technologies LCH-201926 - 29 August 2019: Nessebar: Bulgaria www.eaff.eu Conference will be held in the frames of the IX World Championship of Folklore "World Folk 2019" organized by the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF. The forum is aimed to the theme for preservation: presentation and digitization of the cultural heritage and has interdisciplinary nature. The leading purpose is the broad-spectrum interpretation of the concept of living cultural heritage. On the one hand - as a phenomenon of the living cultural practices and in general - as a scientifically systematized digital content of various tangible and intangible values from museums: archives: community centers etc. Sharing the Bulgarian and foreign experience in specialized and interdisciplinary scientific research: the exchange of modern information technology solutions as well: will be useful in achieving meaningful and technologically renewed living knowledg

Kaustinen Intangible Cultural Heritage Seminar 2019

Kaustinen Intangible Cultural Heritage Seminar 2019The impact of Unesco nominations on community-based safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage – experiences and practices.SAT 13.7. / Folk Art Centre: Museosali: Jyväskyläntie 3: Kaustinen: FinlandThe seminar’s aim is to elaborate the role and impact of Unesco’s lists of intangible cultural heritage in safeguarding cultural heritage. What effect have nominations brought to practitioners in different Baltic and Nordic countries? What ways are there to promote good safeguarding practices? What role might NGOs take in the process? What kinds of threats or downsides are there in following the safeguarding framework of the convention?In the seminar we’ll hear presentations reflecting different ICH elements from Norway: Sweden: Estonia: Latvia and Finland. Seminar is free of charge and held in English.Registration until 15th of June: anne.virkkala-harju@kaustinen.fiPROGRAM:11.30 Welcome to the seminar – Kaustinen fiddle playingMatti Hakamäki / Finnish Folk Music

Expert meeting on intangible cultural heritage in emergencies

DATE: 05/21/2019- 05/22/2019Location: UNESCO Headquarters: Paris (France)At the request of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage: UNESCO is organizing an expert meeting in UNESCO Headquarters: Paris: on 21 - 22 May 2019: with the generous support of the People’s Republic of China. The aim of the meeting is to discuss methodological guidance for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in emergencies.In this context: experts will address notably the two following dimensions: how is intangible cultural heritage itself disrupted and threatened under such circumstances and what can be done for its safeguarding; and: on the other hand: how can intangible cultural heritage be promoted: safeguarded or supported: as a critical means for rebuilding social cohesion: fostering reconciliation and/or facilitating recovery for communities confronted with situations of emergencies. The results of the meeting will be presented to the Director-General of UNESCO and su

Good practice from Finland: On Crafting – Discussion cards

The crafting discussion cards of Taito Group Finland promote interesting discussions about the art of crafting in the local community. Since 2016, Taito Group in Finland held these crafting meetings and made the initiative for the card series by hobbyists and professional crafters. The common bond amongst the group is about craft, and to talk about crafting as it cross section into its local culture. They published the On Crafting discussion cards in early 2018. The meetings along with the help of the crafting discussion cards make it a very useful meeting. The culture of crafting is discussed along with traditional ways and the modern changes that are coming to crafts. Not only do they make process but also help develop for open dialogue being able to improve their beloved traditions.“they enable comprehensive consideration and verbalising of the significance of handicrafts and crafting culture” which is the main purpose of On Crafting discussion cards. The discussion cards will give a new perception to crafting. The themes of the cards will teach traditions of handicraft, as well as propose for the better future of crafting and make new creations of art. The discussions along with the help of the cards can provide the opportunity to determine the cultural heritage of crafting and people will look for important handicraft cultural traits based on theses discussions. The card series were designed for the groups of people come together to crafts for many situations to inspire for craft studies. The card series has specifically been designed a group of people to come together and share their beliefs, experiences with craft or craftsmanship. Handicraft clubs or local crafting events, are all examples of these meeting taking place for inspirations needed for crafting studies. The cards feature five themes: handicraft traditions, handicraft skills, communal crafting, wellbeing crafting and advocacy through crafting. These card themes are perspectives to the crafting culture. Each theme has 16 cards, and each card has a thought or a statement related to the theme as well as questions about it. The pack of cards contains ten Explore and Test cards, two for each theme. The contents of these cards inspire to explore and test things, come up with new ideas and implement the themes in practice. The pack of cards features 90 cards in total: 80 theme cards and 10 Explore and Test cards. The package also contains an instructional leaflet that explains the themes of the cards and their backgrounds as well as gives tips for using the cards. "Discussions and thoughts can be built around the themes of the cards, as one can choose the most important themes and expand the discussion based on the ideas and questions that are brought up. The participants’ experiences of crafting and their craft products are easy to link to the card themes. It is important that the method of using the cards will be adapted to the group and that the themes are handled on the group’s own terms. The discussion cards can also be used alone, as inspiration for thoughts, experiments and making". To See the reference, original story and more, please visit Nordic Safeguarding Practices Website below: <a href="https://www.nordicsafeguardingpractices.org/good-practice/on-crafting-discussion-cards/">https://www.nordicsafeguardingpractices.org/good-practice/on-crafting-discussion-cards/</a>

Master’s TEMA Heritage Studies Program (including ICH) and scholarships are available!

Master’s TEMA Heritage Studies Program (including ICH) and scholarships are available in Europe! Applications must be sent before February 24,2019. The TEMA Erasmus Mundus master's program in heritage studies, funded by the European Union, will be offering 20 scholarships of a value of 30 000 euros for the two year period from September 2019 to August 2021. Scholarship: 30 000 euros over two years. Study Program: all students are required to spend the first semester in Budapest (Sept. to December 2019); and the other three at the partner university of their choice (EHESS in Paris, Charles University in Prague, University of Catania in Catania, Italy, or Laval University in Quebec City (Master's Program in Ethnology and Heritage) Languages of study: English and French Co-graduation: Master's degree in the Erasmus Mundus program and Master's degree at the university of study. Deadline for submission of applications: 24 February 17h00 Application forms: available on the website: <a href="https://mastertema.eu/">https://mastertema.eu/</a>

Bistritsa Babi, archaic polyphony, dances and rituals from the Shoplouk region

Bistritsa Babi are an elderly/multi-generational female vocal ensemble carrying on the traditional dances and polyphonic singing of the Shopluk region of Bulgaria. Bistritsa Babi has been part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2005. The Bistritsa Babi sing at two or three voices, and in different pitches. “Izvikvat” – lead the song while “Buchat krivo” – keep a continuous sound. This makes the harmonic music of Bulgaria a unique sound. People dance the “Horo” dance holding each other the belts of their traditional costumes when they hear the songs. You can see people performing these songs and dances at the ritual of “Lazaruvane” when young girls go around the village collecting eggs. See the video on Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=embqg-yKHNQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=embqg-yKHNQ</a> Reference Treasure quest <a href="https://heriquest.com/?p=37&l=2&c=9&id=288">https://heriquest.com/?p=37&l=2&c=9&id=288</a>

Good practice from Norway: Dual-language, multi-ethnic storytelling

Good practice from Norway: Dual-language, multi-ethnic storytelling Oral traditions from Norway. Oral myths, fables, fairy-tales, legends are being told in Norwegian and in Sami. Because of the rapid pace of immigration leading to much more cultural diversity the oral tradition is changing. There are multiplicity of new story telling traditions. However these traditions are being looked over and their influence is not part of the larger schooling curriculum. Fortellerhuset, the storytelling house, was invited to the storytelling festival in Iran. It was told in English then translated by an interpreter. Audiences could understand oral traditions in a more playful and dramatic way by the performers with two languages. The storytelling was continued in Norway. Fortellerhuset had developed the performances, techniques and new two-language productions and it is being performed at libraries, schools and kindergardens. The aims of the storytelling begin to help people with non-Norwegian backgrounds to reconnect to their ancestors’ oral tradition and teach Norwegian language. The storytelling gives children with Norwegian cultural heritage a deeper experience of oral stories. It can also encourage teachers and those working with children to develop oral storytelling skills. Please visit the link below for a full story : <a href="https://www.nordicsafeguardingpractices.org/good-practice/dual-language-multi-ethnic-storytelling/">https://www.nordicsafeguardingpractices.org/good-practice/dual-language-multi-ethnic-storytelling/</a>

IX World Championship of Folklore "World folk 2019"

Location: Nessebar and the resort complex “Sunny Beach” (Wikipedia) The World Championship of Folklore "World Folk 2019" is organizing byThe World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF:The European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF:World Folklore Academy: Event Vacation. With the support of:UNESCO: IOV-WORLD: CID-UNESCOMunicipalities of Nessebar: Burgas: Pomorie and Obzor: Sveti VlasBasic InformationA special feature of the World Championship of Folklore "World Folk" is that all performances are recorded with professional audio and television equipment and the best of them are repeatedly broadcasted by 20 cable televisions in Bulgaria: by satellite televisions "Travel TV": "Rodina TV" and "Heros TV" with coverage across Europe: as well as by the Web Television "EuroFolkTV" at tv.eurofolk.com With these activities the main goal of the World Championship of Folklore "World Folk 2018“ is being realized and that is to protection and popularize the traditional folk arts through the enormous possibilitie

Falconry, a living human heritage

Falconry is the traditional activity of keeping and training falcons and other raptors to take quarry in its natural state. Originally a way of obtaining food, falconry is today identified with camaraderie and sharing rather than subsistence. It is mainly found along migration flyways and corridors, and is practised by people of all ages, men and women, amateurs and professionals. Falconers develop a strong relationship and spiritual bond with their birds, and great commitment is required to breed, train, handle and fly the falcons. Falconry is handed down from generation to generation as a cultural tradition by various means, including mentoring, learning within families and formal training in clubs. In the United Arab Emirates, Mongolia, Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, for example, falconers take their children to the desert and train them to handle the birds and build a relationship of trust with them. While falconers come from different backgrounds, they share common values, traditions and practices such as the methods of training and caring for birds, the equipment used and the bonding between falconer and bird, which are similar throughout the world. Falconry forms the basis of a wider cultural heritage, including traditional dress, food, songs, music, poetry and dance, all of which are sustained by the communities and clubs that practise it.

Latvian song & dance celebration Participation

Fun!!!

CICS at the ICHNGO platform in the 7th session of the General Assembly

CICS at the ICHNGO platform

Having wonderful time at 7. GA

Networking with other NGOs for safeguarding ICH is i nspiring!

Seventh Session of the General Assembly

Seventh Session of the General AssemblyThe seventh session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage takes place at UNESCO headquarters: Paris: from Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 June 2018. Over the three days: 177 States Parties will discuss a number of issues that are important for the safeguarding of living heritage around the world. In the margin of this Assembly: a series of side-events is being organized by the Secretariat under the global theme of ‘Tell your #living heritage story’. They will exhibit the richness of living heritage today and provide a platform for discourse and experience-sharing among the different actors involved in safeguarding: including the States: NGOs: youth and community members.

2018 ICCN General Assembly

I am pleased to inform that ICCN(Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network)is going to host the 2018 ICCN General Assembly in September 5 to 9 in Algemesi: Spain. I would like all ICCN members: experts and other cultural partners to particpate in the ICCN GA. During the GA: La Mare de Deu de la Salut: one of UNESCO ICH: will be held so that it will be a great opportunity to enjoy the UNESCO Festivity for us. At the GA: we have an international conference on the theme of "we want to know your heritage including an executive meeting and the general assembly meeing. In addtion: all participants will have a chance to attend the UNESCO festivity's parade and cultural activities.