Implementing the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH in Cyprus
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This document summarizes Cyprus's efforts to implement the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It discusses key stakeholders involved, elements of ICH that have been inventoried, educational programs, and initiatives to promote ICH through tourism such as cultural routes, short escapes, agrotourism, and gastronomic tourism. Projects aim to transmit skills, increase market value of crafts, and ensure the long-term conservation of ICH in Cyprus.
Implementing the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH in Cyprus
- 1. May 2013 Sofia IMPLEMENTING THE UNESCO CONVENTION FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF ICH IN CYPRUS
- 2. • Ratification : 2006 • Submission of national Report: December 2012 • Stakeholders involved in the implementation: Ministry of Education and Culture: funding programmes, education & capacity building, monitoring Cyprus Research Center: Inventorying Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO: Coordination, Reporting & external relations Academic Experts (University of Cyprus): advise, proposals for measures, nomination files, committee meetings STATUS OF THE CONVENTION
- 3. Elements of the ICH of Cyprus •Published in 2012 •Based on Oral Tradition Archive (interviews, recordings etc) •Cyprus Research Center Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO •Funded by the A.G.Leventis Foundation NATIONAL INVENTORY
- 4. Contents • Oral Traditions • Performing Arts • Social Customs & Ceremonies • Knowledge & practices concerning nature & the universe • Handicrafts
- 5. Lefkara laces • Inscribed on the List in 2009 • Annual Festival at Lefkara • Lace making classes by expert local embroiders • Museum of Folk Art at Lefkara: archival material about the history, manufacture and trade of Lefkara laces -> digitization in progress • Documentary film: “Lefkara Lace: Before memories fade” (2012, 56 min)
- 6. by students of the Lefkara Primary School HANDMADE DOLLS
- 7. ‘Tsiattista’ poetic duelling • Inscribed in 2011 • Annual festival in June • Information & awarenesss raising event for the inscription of the element (May 2012, organised by the Municipality of Larnaka & the National Commission for UNESCO)
- 8. (a) Cyprus Handicraft Center: Lessons (b) Lifelong Learning Programmes e.g. Lefkaritika (c) Training of teachers of traditional dance -lectures by academics (history, ethnography, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, education, etc) -parallel educational activities related to traditional culture EDUCATION
- 9. Training in Contemporary Applications of Traditional Crafts • Grampus Organisation (UK) • funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci scheme • placements in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Slovakia, Ireland and Romania • Transmission of skills: Basket making Wood carving Pottery Mosaic making Visits to handicraft centres and museums Traditional sweets and food preparation Folklore museum items restoration Design of cultural trail signs
- 10. Contemporary Applications of Traditional Crafts AIMS •identify and propose modifications to the craft products •Combine contemporary application & traditional character •increase the market value of products -> make them more saleable in modern market -> give incentives to younger people to learn -> ensure conservation of the crafts in the long term -> Duration: 4 weeks 20 May – 16 June 2013
- 11. Lefkaritika into fashion May 2012 50 costumes created over the last 3 years
- 12. Cultural itineraries in Cyprus ICH AND TOURISM
- 13. • Cyprus Tourism Organisation • Thematic visits to communities with a traditional character e.g. Wine Routes • theme of vineyards and wine • visits to traditional settlements museums of folk art, wine presses etc. • Organisation of annual wine festivals Transportation free of charge • Traditional products made of grape juice More info: www.visitcyprus.com (A) CULTURAL ROUTES
- 14. • Weekend packages for locals - accommodation (incl.traditional agrotourist settlements) - guided tour in the area (incl.places associated with ICH) - restauration (choise of traditional restaurants) -> contact with practitioners -> awareness raising -> bolstering local economies -> improvement of infrastructures -> investment in ICH Link: www.cyprusshortescapes.com (B) SHORT ESCAPES
- 15. Agrotourism settlements Lefkara More in: www.agrotourism.com.cy Wine Villages of Limassol
- 16. Gastronomic Tourism Cross-border Cooperation Programme “Greece – Cyprus 2007 – 2013” – EU + national funding •Centres of Local Gastronomy Establishment of “Centre of wine & gastronomy” (at Vouni - Wine villages of Limassol, March 2013) •Improvement of the Wine Routes in the Troodos and Paphos district •Mapping of culinary traditions per region •Exhibitions and information weeks for professionals in the tourist industry and local enterprises
- 17. ‘Handicraftour’ Cross-border Cooperation Programme “Greece – Cyprus 2007 – 2013” – EU + national funding •Joint project: Lefkara and Chios (Greece) -> promotion of cultural heritage and tourism in their communities •encourage the craftsmen to improve the quality of their products •Exhibitions & training workshops for the transmission of craftsmaking •Enhance visibility: online and print material •exchange of good practices
- 18. -> transformation & adaptation ICH = LIVING HERITAGE
- 19. Thekla Papantoniou Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO tpapantoniou@culture.moec.gov.cy THANK YOU!