In 2003, UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This led to the birth of a new heritage concept: intangible cultural heritage. An important task in managing heritage is the creation of an inventory. A good inventory must include information about where the heritage is located, whether it still exists, and whether it has changed significantly. Article 12 of the Convention states that countries must create a national inventory and update it regularly. Although it is mandatory to have an inventory, UNESCO does not provide strict guidelines. Countries are free to determine how best to do this, according to their own situation.
In this 'didactis unit', researcher Mark Schep examines how European countries inventory intangible cultural heritage. He looks at UNESCO’s guidelines and discusses how the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, and Portugal approach this task. He also shares the views of other researchers on the subject. Would you like to read the full publication? Click on the link in the attachment, or read the publication via this link. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mark Schep at m.schep@immaterieelerfgoed.nl.