Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 20h anniversary

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is 20 years old

18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee held in Botswana

11/12/2023

Amélia Frazão Moreira in Kasane, Republic of Botswana.

IN2PAST was represented at the 18^th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by CRIA researcher Amélia Frazão Moreira. The meeting was held at the Cresta Mowana Resort in Kasane, Republic of Botswana, between December 5 and 8, 2023.

This eighteenth session marked the 20th anniversary of the adoption by UNESCO of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. CRIA – Centre for Research in Anthropology is accredited by UNESCO as Non-Governmental Organization providing advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee in the framework of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Committee inscribed 6 new elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, including Mozambique’s mapiko dance, and 45 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It also selected 4 new programmes for the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.

UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists now feature 693 elements corresponding to 140 countries, and the Register now features 37 practises corresponding to 31 countries.

Learn more about Intangible Cultural Heritage in Portugal here. Convention full text in Portuguese.

News first published here.

Updated, 12/12/2023

Amélia Frazão Moreira in Kasane, Republic of Botswana.

Our researcher (right) with Francisco Madelino and Carla Raposeira, President and Director of the Department of Culture of Fundação INATEL, also consulting institution for the Convention.

The drummer, Florah Olebeng Letsholo, with the Council of Elderly Women. © Sylvester Rampete and Bakgatla ba Kgafela, Botswana, 2015.

Mushishi, the peacock tail signifies the pride of being Veekuhane and the artistry of dance. © Ishmael Ogaufi Otlaadisa and Veekuhane, Botswana, 2018.