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The Estonian inventory of intangible cultural heritage
Kristiina PorilaIntangible Cultural Heritage Specialist
Estonian Folk Culture Centre
The Identification and Inventorying of Intangible Cultural Heritage as a Powerful Factor of its Safeguarding
Capacity-building seminar in Minsk, Belarus, 25-26 March 2013
ESTONIA• Surface 45.000 km2
• 1.3 million inhabitants• Ethnic groups
Estonians (69.0%) Russians (25.5%) Ukrainians (2.0%) Belorussians (1.1%) Finns (0.8%)
• Official language Estonian
ESTONIA• Since 2006: State party
to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Two ICH specialists hired at the Folk Culture Centre
Estonian inventory of intangible cultural heritage
• online at www.rahvakultuur.ee/vkpnimistu• maintained by the Folk Culture Centre • opened in 2010• in Estonian
ICH in Estonia:Do you know how to drive on an ice road?
Structure of the inventory: 4 types of entries
1) Elements of ICH(the main entry)
2) Practitioners 3) Organisations 4) Places and regions
4 types of entries
•doing woollen handicrafts in Karula region
Related entries
• practitioners: Olivia Till
• organisations NPO Maavillane
• places and regions Vana Võromaa region
The main entry: an element of ICH
The inventory is not just a list
short texts audiovisual materials • current social and cultural
functions of the element • current activities of
practitioners and organisations
• sustainability of the element • historical background
We want to show – the essence of every element its place in peoples’ lives at present
All entries should include
• important for the community• corresponds to the defintion of ICH• living heritage• transmitted from generation to generation
The main entry: an element of ICH – criteria?
Council of experts approves before publishing (formality)
• all communities who live in Estonia
• “ordinary” or “special”• widespread or specific• the age is not relevant
The main entry: an element of ICH – criteria?
Everyone has ICH!
It does not build on existing databases– to focus on living heritage – to ensure community participation– serving the interests of local communities
A new inventory – the difficult way
Cutting a cross for a deceased relative
A traditional medicine
• an inventory based on community initiative• community representatives compile the entries
and decide– if their ICH should be on the inventory– which elements should be there – how to present them
A bottom-up approach
• The Folk Culture Centre helps and encourages• also a source of problems
• the inventory needs time to evolve• the circle of communities widens step by step• the first communities are a positive role model• the inventory is a way of activating communities
Evolving step by step
A seminar about local food
Discussions about the singing tradition
of the Seto
Mostly ICH of local communities, examples of ICH that
– is especially important for the community– has been safeguarded effectively– is in the process of revitalisation
What is on the inventory?
Making beer for the family
Eating and making
traditional food
• time consuming • officials tend to prefer
fast and clearly measurable results
• the effect is yet to be seen
Drawbacks
Thank you for [email protected]