[Zou Qishan] Several issues that need to be paid attention to in the application of intangible cultural heritage

The Conference of the Parties to UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention ") on October 17, 2003, bringing the protection of intangible cultural heritage into international norms in order to better protect the heritage.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention, two lists have been established.

One is the "Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity"(referred to as the Representative List), which is in line with the famous "World Heritage List".

To ensure the importance of intangible cultural heritage in the world; the other is the "List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Urgent Need of Protection"(referred to as the List of Urgent Protection).

From June 16 to 19, 2008, the second session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage was held at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, France.

The Conference adopted the Convention formulated by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Implementation rules, the two most important tasks are to apply for inclusion in the "Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" and the "List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Urgent Need of Protection".

The former can be understood as focusing more on an honorary title, highlighting the status of heritage, and elevating the heritage of a certain country or region to the heritage of all mankind; the latter emphasizes the inclusion of rescue and protection declarations.

Items on the list.

According to UNESCO's work plan, the application for inclusion in the "Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" and the "List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Urgent Need of Protection" is about to begin, requiring countries to submit to UNESCO before the end of September 2008.

Submit application materials recommended for inclusion in the "Representative List".

According to regulations, an item of heritage may not be declared for inclusion in the Representative List and the List of Urgent Protection at the same time, but States parties may require the transfer of one item of heritage from one list to another in accordance with relevant regulations and conditions.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage will review and publish the items on the above two lists in September 2009.

my country has made remarkable achievements in its past application work.

It has four items: Kunqu opera art, Guqin art, Xinjiang Uyghur Muqam art, and Mongolian long-tune folk songs jointly declared with Mongolia, ranking first in the world.

In the application work of the new two directories, how should we work hard? Based on past successful experience and in accordance with the new regulations, doing a good job in the application work is an arduous task before us.

Below, I will try to talk about some matters that need attention and some issues that need attention in the application work and the application for inclusion in the "Representative Works List" and the "Urgent Protection List" from three aspects.

The meaning and purpose of the declaration

The purpose of our declaration of a cultural expression or cultural space on the "Representative List" or "Urgent Protection List" is to rescue, preserve, protect and revitalize the heritage.

Declaration is only a means, and protection is the real purpose.

When we make the declaration, we start the protection plan.

Without a protection plan, there will be no declaration, and the declaration will not be successful.

The key is to promote these intangible cultural heritage through application, encourage relevant groups to carry out activities to identify, protect and utilize intangible cultural heritage, serve as a demonstration and drive the protection of other heritage projects, and enhance their sense of identity with their traditional culture.

A sense of history, which in turn promotes cultural diversity and human creativity.

Intangible cultural heritage is a people-oriented living heritage.

It pays more attention to the inheritance of skills, technology and knowledge.

It is the carrier of the lifestyles, wisdom and emotions of all countries and nations in the development of human history.

Without people, intangible cultural heritage has no value and cannot exist.

Our application work should focus on people, emphasize people, especially inheritors, provide them with and create conditions for survival of intangible cultural heritage, make great efforts to ensure that an operational protection plan is in place, and pay special attention.

Doing a good job in application is conducive to promoting the protection of domestic intangible cultural heritage, promoting and promoting my country's long-standing and splendid intangible cultural heritage, recognizing the cultural characteristics of the Chinese nation, protecting cultural resources, expanding influence, and protecting and promoting world cultural diversity.

Sex is of great significance.

Inclusion criteria for the "Representative List" and "List of Urgent Protection"

There are 5 criteria for inclusion in the "Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity", requiring the reporting country to prove in the application document that the recommended items for inclusion meet all the following criteria:

This project belongs to intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage;

Including this project on the list will help ensure the survival of this intangible cultural heritage, raise awareness of its importance, and promote dialogue, thereby reflecting the world's cultural diversity and witnessing human creativity;

A number of conservation measures have been developed to protect and promote the heritage;

The declaration of the estate is nominated with the widest possible participation of the community, group, or individual concerned, and is independently recognized by them in advance with their knowledge;

This project has been included in the list of intangible cultural heritage existing in the territory of the submitting State party.

There are 6 criteria for inclusion in the "List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Urgent Need of Protection".

The submitting country, or in special emergencies, the applicant, is required to state in the application document that the items recommended for inclusion in the "List of Urgent Need of Protection" meet all the following standards:

This project belongs to intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage;

(a) despite the efforts of the communities, groups or individuals concerned and the State Party, the survival of the project is at stake and the heritage is in urgent need of protection;(or)(b) the heritage is under serious threat and is in particular need of protection and will be unsustainable if not protected immediately;

A number of protective measures have been developed to enable the communities, groups or individuals concerned to continue to practice and pass on the heritage;

The declaration of the estate is nominated with the widest possible participation of the community, group or individual concerned, and is independently recognized by them in advance with their knowledge;

The project has been included in the list of intangible cultural heritage existing in the territory of the submitting State party;

In particular emergencies, consultations have been held with the relevant State party on the listing in accordance with Article 17, paragraph 3, of the Convention.

Comparing the inclusion criteria of the above two directories, we will find that there is no essential difference between the two directories.

They all require the formulation of protective measures, and both emphasize the participation and important role of reporting entities and protection units.

The projects declared for inclusion in the latter must be endangered heritage and need immediate rescue.

The former highlights heritage through inclusion in the list in order to achieve the purposes of publicity, identification and protection.

In the application work, we cannot declare two directories at the same time.

We must choose to declare the "Urgent Protection List" or the "Representative Works List" based on actual conditions.

According to the regulations: if the declared project is not approved for inclusion in the list, it may not be declared again within 4 years.

Therefore, the relevant reporting units must be cautious when submitting the application materials, and must conduct careful research and demonstration before deciding whether to declare and when to declare.

Declaration subject and protection unit

The Ministry of Culture is the agency responsible for applying to UNESCO for inclusion in the "Urgent Protection List" and the "Representative List".

When we do the application work, it is crucial to determine the application subject and the protection unit.

The application subject has the responsibility to protect the heritage items included in the application list.

Protection units or relevant communities, groups or individuals should voluntarily and consciously participate in the declaration work to ensure the success of the declaration and the ability to fulfill their promises after application and do a good job in protection work.

(Source: Cultural Communication Network)