UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

Distribution by country as of 2018

UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.[1] This list is published by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the members of which are elected by State Parties meeting in a General Assembly.[2] Through a compendium of the different oral and intangible treasures of humankind worldwide, the programme aims to draw attention to the importance of safeguarding intangible heritage, which UNESCO has identified as an essential component and as a repository of cultural diversity and of creative expression.[3][4]

The list was established in 2008 when the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.

As of 2010, the programme compiles three lists. The longer Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comprises cultural "practices and expressions [that] help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance." The shorter List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is composed of those cultural elements that concerned communities and countries consider to require urgent measures to keep them alive.[5][6] The third list is the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.

In 2013, four elements were inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which helps States Parties mobilize international cooperation and assistance to ensure the transmission of this heritage with the participation of the concerned communities. The Urgent Safeguarding List now numbers 35 elements. The Intergovernmental Committee also inscribed 25 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which serves to raise awareness of intangible heritage and provide recognition to communities' traditions and know-how that reflect their cultural diversity. The list does not attribute or recognize any standard of excellence or exclusivity. All lists combined totalled 676 elements, corresponding to 140 countries as of April 2023.[7]

Elements inscribed in the lists are deemed significant manifestations of humanity's intangible heritage, the highest honour for intangible heritage on a global level.

  1. ^ Compare: "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003". UNESCO. Retrieved 2009-09-05. In order to ensure better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage and awareness of its significance, and to encourage dialogue which respects cultural diversity, the Committee, upon the proposal of the States Parties concerned, shall establish, keep up to date and publish a Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
  2. ^ "Functions of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the 2003 Convention". Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  3. ^ "UNESCO Issues First Ever Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage". UNESCO Press. 2001-05-18. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016.
  4. ^ "The Samba of Roda and the Ramlila proclaimed Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". UNESCO Press. 2005-11-25. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  5. ^ "Intangible Heritage Lists". UNESCO Press. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  6. ^ "Criteria and timetable of inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding". UNESCO Press. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  7. ^ "UNESCO – Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices". ich.unesco.org.