A meeting was held in Vientiane on Mar 9 to enable representatives of relevant organizations to brainstorm the application of the Lao intangible heritage for the UNESCO World Heritage status.

The meeting saw the presence of Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bouangeun Xaphouvong and senior officials from relevant organisations.

Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara signed last month a decision to appoint a committee to supervise the preparation of relevant documents needed for the application of the Lao performing art for the world heritage status.

Participants of the meeting also discussed the possible nomination of Lao New Year, almsgivings, Baci ceremony, and Kong Khao Festival for the UNESCO World Heritage status.

According to the definition provided by UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is made up of oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship knowledge and techniques.

Some characteristics of ICH are that it is simultaneously traditional and contemporary; it is integrative and contributes to cultural identity; it is representative and transmitted from generation to generation; and it is based on communities.

Its importance lies not in the cultural manifestation itself, but in the heritage of the knowledge and techniques that are passed on, revealing social and economic value for both human groups and entire States.

Within the context of globalisation, ICH has capital importance as it allows cultural diversity to be maintained through dialogue between cultures and the promotion of respect towards other ways of life.

For this reason, in 2003 UNESCO passed the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which determines a set of measures aimed at guaranteeing the identification, documentation, investigation, preservation, protection, promotion, evaluation, transmission through formal and informal education, and revitalisation.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL NEWS

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