ICH Awareness: Workshop / Conference
11.08.09
India is rich in cultural heritage and is host to numerous practices that have survived for centuries. A large number of agencies are actively engaged in keeping arts and other practices vibrant. However, at all levels the threat to these practices can be felt. Further, there is a large number of those activities which have not received any patronage so far having survived on their own merit up to now. The need for identification of such practices is urgent as is the necessity of charting plans to ensure their continuity.
Madhukali plans to invite academics, bureaucrats from various cultural academies, NGOs, leaders of community practitioners and interested individuals as first level facilitators. As most of them are already associated with cultural practices, they would gain a new viewpoint regarding their activities. Understanding the concepts of Safeguarding they would give us the first list of cultural practices within their domains along with degree of danger to these practices and possible action plans. This shall bring into public domain the state of ICH practices in India.
In the two day workshop-cum-conference a part shall be devoted to explaining the concept, possible lines of action, the process of nomination and evaluation. As exercise the participants might list cultural practices and even suggest plans for action. To motivate genuine commitment and creation of network, experts from various countries shall present case studies of similar practices of their countries, which have been inscribed on Representative List of UNESCO.
Eligible persons may apply to ich at madhukali.org to ascertain their participation. All participants shall have to bring a description of at least one traditional practice with supporting text, graphic, audio or visual material and be ready to present a plan for preservation / promotion of same. To gain better understanding they may consult the kit on intangible cultural heritage, developed through the generous support of the Government of Norway. Composed of 7 brochures and fact sheets on 12 safeguarding projects, it is a basic reference and pedagogical instrument for promoting and ensuring an effective understanding of intangible cultural heritage and the 2003 Convention by governments, communities, experts, concerned UN agencies, NGOs and interested individuals. It can be downloaded from UNESCO website on ICH
Tags: Bhopal, Conference, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Safeguarding of ICH, UNESCO, workshop
