About the intangible cultural heritage
UNESCO defines the intangible cultural heritage as „the practices, representations, expressions, as well as the knowledge and skills, that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
The intangible cultural heritage, which is sometimes called living cultural heritage, and is manifested inter alia in the following domains: oral traditions and language, performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship. Transmitted from generation to generation, and constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response to their environment, as interaction with nature, and their history, the intangible cultural heritage provides people with a sense of identity and continuity. It also promotes respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.
UNESCO strategically focuses on the strengthening of capacities of various stakeholders for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage at the national level and effective use of opportunities and mechanisms of international cooperation, as defined in the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in order to promote mutual understanding of circumstances and challenges associated with policies for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage in the region, such as: national inventory policies, the process of revitalization of the intangible cultural heritage, management of sustainable cultural tourism, the role and involvement of local communities, the transnational dimension of the intangible cultural heritage, training and capacity building.