Global InformationList of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in Northern Europe information
Northern Europe comprises Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom,[1] and the following dependent territories: the Faroe Islands controlled by Denmark, Åland controlled by Finland, Svalbard and Jan Mayen controlled by Norway, and the British Crown Dependencies, Guernsey and Jersey, and the Isle of Man.[1] Out of these, the United Kingdom is not yet party to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).[2] The convention was drafted in 2003,[3] and taking effect in 2006.[2]
According to the convention, intangible cultural heritage elements are components of the cultural heritage within a territory that are equally as important as physical cultural elements, like World Heritage Sites.[4] The elements are abstract and must be learned, encompassing traditional knowledge which includes festivals, music, performances, celebrations, handicrafts, and oral traditions. Intangible cultural heritage is based on the opinions of local communities, as according to the convention there needs to be stakeholders viewing the elements as "their heritage".[5] The member states undertake to create one or several inventories of the intangible cultural heritage within their territory.[5] This work is ongoing in Northern Europe.
UNESCO upholds two international lists of intangible cultural heritage, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.[6] The member states apply for cultural elements to be added to the international lists. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which approves new inscription requests, and a definition of "intangible cultural heritage".[3] As part of the convention, the UNESCO also upholds the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices that contains that reflect the principles of the convention – that is to uphold living traditions.[6] No cultural elements from Northern Europe have been included on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.[7]
- ^ a b "Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions, geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings". United Nations Statistics Division. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ a b "The States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Text of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 7 November 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "State Parties". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ a b "UNESCO – Text of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage". ich.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ a b "UNESCO – Purpose of the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and of the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices". ich.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "UNESCO – Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices". ich.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2019.