The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage program is dedicated to preserving the practices, knowledge, and expressions integral to cultural identities. Recently, the largest set of inscriptions was completed, emphasizing that living heritage thrives when it is appreciated, practiced, and shared.
In a New Delhi gathering, delegates celebrated years of hard work being acknowledged as cultural practices from Yemen to Chile and Ukraine to Panama were highlighted on a global platform.
Tim Curtis, UNESCO’s regional director in New Delhi, announced an extraordinary year with 67 elements from 78 countries registered. In Panama, Irina Ruiz Figueroa emphasized how quincha houses, built from natural materials, symbolize community strength. Yemen celebrated Hadrami Dan music’s recognition, bringing unexpected joy. Curtis noted that living heritage is about people’s expressions, not monuments, and must evolve while retaining relevance.
For Ukrainian expert Oleksandr Butsenko, preserving heritage has become crucial amidst war, adding over 80 items to their National Register. Ugandan Doreen Ruth Amule described intangible heritage as deeply connected to the human spirit. Curtis stressed that recognition boosts pride and can lead to support like funding and educational programs.
Chile’s recognition of its traditional family circus brought global acknowledgment and reinforced the need for support. Cyprus’s Commandaria wine tradition, with 6,000 years of history, gained new interest, potentially revitalizing rural areas. Curtis emphasized the importance of engaging youth to maintain heritage.
Despite challenges like urbanization and climate change, Curtis said safeguarding must empower communities. Technology can assist, but the control should remain with practitioners. In Kuwait and Egypt, Bedouin weaving aids refugee women, while in Norway, basket weaving teaches teens about nature.
Indonesia’s textiles and India’s leather puppets highlight the truth that living heritage thrives when embraced and valued. Diwali’s inscription underscored this, marking it as a festival for all humanity. Curtis stated that cultural heritage is essential to our identity, emphasizing the need to protect and transmit traditions to future generations.
China will host the next UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee meeting in 2026.
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