Intangible culture, sense of identity from one generation to another: UN official

Tehran, Dec 13, IRNA – A UN official in Tehran described the intangible heritage and culture as 'sense of identity from one generation to another'. Esther Kuisch Laroche, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Representative to Iran, made the remarks on Tuesday at the Training Workshop for Journalists Reporting on Intangible Cultural Heritage that was held at IRNA central office here. The intangible cultural heritage 'is not static, it is always recreated,' and should be understood, Ms. Laroche said at the workshop. As she said, what is important when dealing with the issue of the intangible cultural heritage is that 'It is not about the ownership'. By the intangible heritage, the environment will be recreated and the (natural) practices will be safeguarded. So, 'Let's celebrate this identity.' The UNESCO official then called for helping maintain the traditions. During her address, she outlined the goals of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Iran joined the convention in 2006. She then referred to the reason why UNESCO has created that saying it is for 'greater solidarity between the countries.' According to UNESCO website, the term ‘cultural heritage’ has changed content considerably in recent decades, partially owing to the instruments developed by UNESCO. Cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts. 1378/IRNA