The 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage officially opened on Sunday, 1 December 2024, at the Cultural Centre of the Port of Asunción in Paraguay.
The vibrant ceremony was attended by Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, and Paraguay’s Minister of Culture Adriana Ortiz, who highlighted the critical role of safeguarding living heritage for promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
The session, chaired by Ms Nancy Ovelar de Gorostiaga, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Delegate of Paraguay to UNESCO, brings together approximately 1,000 representatives from around the world. It will run until Saturday, 7 December 2024.
Key agenda items include reviewing 58 nominations for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, three requests for transferring elements between lists, two nominations for the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and three proposals for the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. The session will also consider 18 reports from States Parties on the status of items on the Urgent Safeguarding List, as well as 44 reports related to the implementation of the Convention, particularly regarding the Representative List in Africa.
Myanmar’s Thingyan Water Festival
Myanmar’s Thingyan Water Festival was officially recognized by UNESCO as part of its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition, approved during the 19th session in Paraguay, highlights the festival’s cultural importance and global significance. The inclusion aims to raise awareness, preserve cultural traditions, and inspire younger generations to uphold customs like Thanaka. With collective effort from the government, cultural organizations, and citizens, Thingyan now holds a prominent place in global cultural heritage.
At the 19th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee in Asuncion, Paraguay, several cultural elements were inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Among them, China’s Spring Festival, marking the traditional new year, was celebrated for its deep-rooted cultural significance, symbolizing renewal and family unity. China now has 44 cultural practices on the UNESCO list, the most globally. Additionally, three endangered Chinese cultural treasures, including Li ethnic textiles, the Qiang New Year festival, and wooden arch bridges, were also added after successful conservation efforts.
UNESCO also recognized other global traditions, such as Mongolia’s nomadic migration, which involves intricate traditions of family and livestock movement, and Thailand’s Tom Yum Kung soup, which has become a symbol of Thai cuisine. Cambodia’s Krama textile was inscribed as a cultural treasure, with Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirming the nation’s commitment to preserving heritage.
Other additions include Nigeria’s Durbar festival, Brazil’s Minas cheese, Ivory Coast’s Attieke dish, and Japan’s sake and shochu brewing practices. Each of these cultural elements represents the unique identities and traditions of their respective countries, reflecting the diversity and richness of global heritage. The inscriptions are a testament to the international effort to safeguard intangible cultural practices for future generations.
UNESCO/Xinhua/AFP
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