The energetic and deep-voiced Mareshal Clecia Clair leading the chorus and hitting the bwat as the other members of this experienced and veteran group respond with enthusiasm. © 2015 by James Castel

Jeju (Republic of Korea), 9 December - The next annual meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will take place from 26 November to 1st December 2018 in Port-Louis (Republic of Mauritius).

This decision was taken on Dec 9 in Jeju at the close of the 12th session of the Committee, which brings together the representatives of 24 States Parties to UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Committee decides on measures to safeguard oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts, which constitute intangible heritage.

During its session, the Committee approved the granting of financial assistance to Uganda and Zambia to help them fund projects which are important to their country’s intangible cultural heritage.

 It also selected two projects, in Bulgaria and Uzbekistan, on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices which allows communities to share inspiring safeguarding programmes and activities with other communities.

The Committee inscribed six elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. It also added 33 elements to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For the first time, the Committee decided to transfer a Vietnamese musical tradition, the element ‘Xoan Singing of Phú Thọ Province, Viet Nam’, from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Now numbering 52 elements in 28 countries, the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding helps States Parties mobilize international cooperation and assistance to ensure the transmission of these cultural practices with the participation of the communities concerned.

The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, now numbering 399 elements in 112 countries, shows the diversity of this heritage and raises awareness of its importance.