The Aalst Carnival in Belgium, the Peking Opera, Flamenco, the Wayuu normative system in Colombia, the traditional skills of carpet weaving in Kashan in Iran, and falconry, which is presented by 11 countries, are among the 47 elements presented to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. An Intergovernmental Committee will decide whether to inscribe these elements on the two Lists during its meeting in Nairobi (Kenya) from 15 to 19 November, which will be chaired by Kenyan Jacob Ole Miaron.
    
    The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is a list of cultural elements whose viability is at risk despite the efforts of the communities and groups that practice them. In order to be inscribed on this list, States must pledge to implement special protection plans. They may benefit from financial assistance from a Fund managed by UNESCO. During the meeting in Nairobi, the Committee will examine four nominations for the inscription on this List from two States, China and Croatia.

    The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which already has 166 elements from 77 countries, will be enriched by new elements. On this occasion, the Committee will examine 47 nominations from 29 States. In order to be inscribed, the elements must comply with a series of criteria, including contributing to spreading the knowledge of intangible cultural heritage and promoting awareness of its importance. Nominees for the inscription must also justify protective measures taken to ensure their viability.

All the elements inscribed on the lists must fit the definition of “intangible cultural heritage” laid down in the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. They must also be included in an inventory and have been nominated by States after the greatest possible participation of the communities that practice them, with their prior, free and informed consent.

    Adopted in 2003 and ratified by 132 States, this Convention recommends the protection of elements such as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and know-how related to traditional handicrafts. It is considered that they constitute a living heritage, which, when transmitted from generation to generation, give communities and groups a feeling of identity and continuity that is considered essential for the respect of cultural diversity and human creativity. Consisting of 24 members elected by the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Committee is one of its governing organs.


Nominations for the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

    China – Meshrep
    China – The watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks 
    China – Chinese printing with wooden movable type
    Croatia – Ojkanje singing

Nominations for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

    Armenia – Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars
    Azerbaijan – The Azerbaijani carpet
    Belgium – The Aalst carnival
    Belgium – Houtem Jaarmarkt, annual winter fair and livestock market at Sint-Lievens-Houtem
    Belgium – Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand, end-of-winter bread and fire feast at Geraardsbergen
    China – Acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine  
    China – Peking Opera
    Colombia – Marimba music and traditional chants from Colombia’s South Pacific region
    Colombia – The Wayuu normative system, applied by the Pütchipü’üi (palabrero)
    Croatia – Gingerbread craft from Northern Croatia
    Croatia – The Sinjska Alka, a knights’ tournament in Sinj  
    Spain – Flamenco
    Spain – Human towers
    Spain – The chant of the Sybil on Majorca  
    Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco – The Mediterranean diet
    France – Compagnonnage, network for on-the-job transmission of knowledge and identities
    France – The craftsmanship of Alençon needle lace-making  
    France –The gastronomic meal of the French  
    India – Chhau dance
    India – Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan  
    India – Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala  
    Indonesia – Indonesian Angklung
    Iran (Islamic Republic of) – The music of the Bakhshis of Khorasan
    Iran (Islamic Republic of) – The Pahlevani and Zoorkhanei rituals  
    Iran (Islamic Republic of) – The ritual dramatic art of Ta‘zīye
    Iran (Islamic Republic of) – Traditional skills of carpet weaving in Fars
    Iran (Islamic Republic of) – Traditional skills of carpet weaving in Kashan  
    Japan – Kumiodori, traditional Okinawan musical theatre  
    Japan – Yuki-tsumugi, silk fabric production technique  
    Lithuania – Sutartinės, Lithuanian multipart songs  
    Luxemburg – The hopping procession of Echternach  
    Mexico – Parachicos in the traditional January feast of Chiapa de Corzo  
    Mexico – Pirekua, traditional song of the P’urhépecha  
    Mexico – Traditional Mexican cuisine - authentic, ancestral, ongoing community culture, the Michoacán paradigm
    Mongolia – Naadam, Mongolian traditional festival
    Mongolia – The Mongolian traditional art of Khöömei
    Oman - Al-Bar’ah, music and dance of Oman Dhofari valleys
    Peru – Huaconada, ritual dance of Mito
    Peru – The scissors dance
    Czech Republic – Shrovetide door-to-door processions and masks in the villages of the Hlinecko area
    Republic of Korea – Daemokjang, traditional wooden architecture
    Republic of Korea – Gagok, lyric song cycles accompanied by an orchestra
    Turkey – Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival  
    Turkey – Semah, Alevi-Bektaşi ritual
    Turkey – Traditional Sohbet meetings
    Vietnam – Gióng festival of Phù Ðông and Sóc temples  
    United Arab Emirates; Belgium; Czech Republic; France; Republic of Korea; Mongolia; Morocco; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Spain; Syrian Arab Republic – Falconry, a living human heritage
*****

For more information

Video interview with Cécile Duvelle (UNESCO)

The Committee will meet at the:
Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)
P.O. Box 30746-00100, Nairobi (Kenya)
www.kicc.co.ke

Media Information Session about Committee operations and inscription criteria on
12 November, 11.30 am (Room 107) at the KICC in Nairobi
Contact: Reiko Yoshida: r.yoshida@unesco.org

Press Conference on 15 November, 11.30 am, for opening of session, with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and Committee Chairperson Jacob Ole Miaron
Contacts: Lucía Iglesias Kuntz
l.iglesias@unesco.org;
Isabelle Le Fournis
+ 33(0)6 12 19 74 01/ i.le-fournis@unesco.org

Webcast for the opening ceremony and the inscriptions on the Lists

The Committee meeting is open to the press. UNESCO will make available to the media complete descriptions of the elements to be inscribed, as well as TV footage and photos.

TV footage (B-rolls)

Media accreditation:
Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture (Kenya)
Monica Omoro
Public Relations Officer
Telephone: +254.251.164, 251.005, 250.276, Ext. 134.
Mobile: +254.0518.010.547
monikaomoro@yahoo.com