Events and meetings on intangible cultural heritage (co-)organized by UNESCO

The South-East European Experts Network on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) was established in 2007 under the auspices of UNESCO, in order to support the implementation of the UNESCO 2003 Convention in South-East Europe.

Annual meetings since 2007 contributed to enhance a common understanding of opportunities and challenges linked to the safeguarding of the ICH as a key asset of South-East European cultural diversity, as well as to develop institutional and professional capacities within the relevant national authorities serving as a regional platform for sharing knowledge and good practices. Since 2018 the annual meetings focus on a specific thematic annually, so as to more effectively analyse issues raised by the experts and be integrated in the larger scale of ICH safeguarding agenda,

The present, 15th annual meeting is organized by UNESCO regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Venice, Italy) in close collaboration with the Living Heritage Entity, with the generous support provided by the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-East Europe (Sofia, Bulgaria).

The 15th annual meeting of the South-East European Experts Network on ICH takes place in the midst of the revised Periodic Reporting process in the European Region. Following the training of country focal points for periodic reporting in Europe region organized by Living Heritage Entity in March-April 2021, the meeting aims at:
• Taking stock of the progress achieved regarding the PR process in South-East European countries;
• Sharing knowledge, experiences and advice on strategies, mechanisms and tools for PR process in the region;
• Identifying possible opportunities for reinforced regional cooperation in implementing the 2003 Convention and safeguarding ICH.

Finally, the meeting is an opportunity to discuss and advance cooperation on intangible cultural heritage safeguarding issues with and among Member States and other relevant partners in South-East Europe, confirming the imp

This workshop is part of the project “Community-based inventorying of intangible cultural heritage, related to traditional income-generating activities in Old Tbilisi” implemented by Georgian Heritage Crafts Association in the framework of UNESCO “Intangible Heritage and Creativity for Sustainable Cities” Programme. The project is supported with the generous contribution form Yong Xin Hua Yun Cultural Industrial Co.Ltd (China).

The project carried out from November 2020 till June 2021 included meetings with local community members, capacity-building activities led by International facilitators, community-based Inventory exercise of intangible cultural heritage particularly related to traditional income-generating activities in Old Tbilisi, which involved audio-visual and narrative documentation and production of promotional videos.

The wrap-up meeting aims to present and discuss the results, and lessons learned from the implementation of the project and put forward recommendations on safeguarding ICH related to income- generating activities in Tbilisi (crafts, performing arts, festivals and other traditional occupations in Old Tbilisi).

The meeting will be held in hybrid (virtual and physical) format.