UNESCO is renowned for its efforts to preserve the universal heritage of humankind, whether it is historical monuments, natural treasures, objects and places of cultural significance, or documentary heritage. One of the most important UNESCO programs is therefore the protection of diversity of humanity's intangible cultural heritage, also called "living heritage". By this term we mean social customs, rituals, oral expressions, crafts, tools or recipes.
Countries that have become parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003 (Convention) have committed to the documentation and protection of their intangible cultural elements, in order to protect and preserve local traditions for future generations. The Convention complements previous recommendations on the protection of traditional culture and folklore. One of the aims of this Convention is to contribute to the knowledge of traditions of other communities and to arouse interest in cultural practices of distant nations.
One attractive aspect of the Convention is the possibility for countries to inscribe their intangible heritage on the prestigious Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (List), on which 463 elements from 124 countries of the world are currently inscribed. Slovakia has so far managed to be inscribe seven intangible cultural elements of the List, out of which two are entries shared with neighbouring countries. This supports the main idea of the Convention - mutual knowledge and respect for different cultures.
Fujara and its music was the first Slovak element to be inscribed on the List in 2008, followed by Music of Terchová in 2013. Another element of Slovak culture recognized by international experts was our Bagpipe culture, inscribed in 2015. In 2016, a common element of Slovakia and the Czech Republic was inscribed - Puppetry in Slovakia and Czechia - and it was followed in 2017 by Multipart singing of Horehronie. In 2018, the international nomination of Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and Germany was approved, and the blueprint technique, which has a strong tradition in these countries, was added to the List as Blaudruck/Modrotisk/Kékfestés/Modrotlač, resist block printing and indigo dyeing in Europe. Recently, in 2019, Slovakia added the element Drotárstvo, wire craft and art the List. In the spring of 2020, Slovakia presented the nomination of two more international elements: Falconry and Breeding of Lipizzans. Their inscription shall be approved in December 2021.
Music of Terchová (@Terchová municipal archives)
Summer is an ideal time to get to know the regions of Slovakia. We often know very little about our elements of intangible cultural heritage. Therefore, on your next visit to the popular locations of Terchová or Horehronie, enjoy the traditional music and singing that is associated with these areas and that are also appreciated by the international expert community.
Walks through Terchová village (@SC UNESCO)
