FIRST MEETING OF THE JURY NAMED TO SELECT MASTERPIECES OF THE
ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
Paris, June 15 {No.2000-60} - The international jury named by
UNESCO to proclaim cultural spaces and forms of cultural expression as “masterpieces
of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”, today discussed the concept
underlying the project, as well as various legal and practical aspects - such as
the number of candidatures per country and the evaluation process - as it held
its first meeting, at Organization Headquarters.
Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo was elected President of the
jury which will examine the first candidatures of cultural spaces or forms of
cultural expression in May 20001. Candidatures must be submitted before December
31, 2000, and the first proclamations will be made in June 2001. Proclamations
will then be made every two years.
The jury - which will be renewed every four years - numbers
nine members: Hasan M. Al-Nabooah (United Arab Emirates), Juan Goytisolo
(Spain), Ugné Karvelis (Lithuania), Richard Kurin (United States), J.H. Nketia
(Ghana), Ralph Regenvanu (Vanuatu), Dawnhee Yim (Republic of Korea), Zulmar
Yugar (Bolivia) and Munojat Yulchieva (Uzbekistan).
Addressing the jury, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro
Matsuura said: “UNESCO’s renown is largely based on the admirable action it
has carried out concerning the tangible heritage. The General Conference’s
adoption of the World Heritage Convention, in 1972, was not only a political and
legal landmark, it was also a major conceptual innovation. For the first time,
cultural and natural heritage were associated to one another within one legal
framework. We are presently preparing to launch another avant-garde initiative,
the creation of an international convention on the preservation of intangible
heritage.”
Mr Matsuura added: “As fundamental questions are being
asked regarding the future of cultural diversity in view of the effects of
globalisation […], we can but note that intangible heritage is the most
vulnerable aspect of the cultural identity of the peoples of the world. It is
therefore UNESCO’s duty to draw the attention of public opinion to the
importance of this heritage and to encourage Member States to make its
inventory, protect and revitalise it.”
“Even before the new legal instrument comes into being, we
will have to, as of next year, give international distinction to cultural spaces
or to forms of cultural expression considered to be ‘masterpieces of the oral
and intangible heritage of humanity’. Member States have already been invited
to submit candidatures to this end,”Mr Matsuura added.
The Director-General then announced that he will request
UNESCO’s Executive Board to increase the number of jury members in the
interest of ensuring better representation for all regions of the world.
The project will be funded from extra-budgetary resources
which will make it possible to allot up to US$20,000 per country in preparatory
assistance for candidatures. Several countries have already pledged funds to
this end and others - as well as private institutions - may follow their
example. Another form of financial backing will be provided through the creation
of prizes: the Republic of Korea, Bolivia and Uzbekistan have offered to make
such contributions.
“Masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of
humanity” is the title which will soon be awarded to cultural spaces or forms
of cultural expression of outstanding value. Forms of traditional and popular
cultural expression include languages, oral literature (notably myths, epics,
tales, proverbs), body techniques (such as rituals, sports, music and the
performing arts) and know-how (i.e. production techniques, healing, learning, as
well as food habits and the culinary arts). The term of cultural space is used
to designate physical or temporal spaces in which recurrent, regular or
occasional cultural events occur.
The following criteria will be used in the selection process:
outstanding value; roots in cultural tradition; affirmation of cultural
identity, source of inspiration and intercultural exchange, contemporary
cultural and social role; excellence in the application of skills; unique
testimony of living cultural tradition; risk of disappearing.
Each Member State may submit a single candidature every two
years. Multi-national candidatures involving the communities of several Member
States may be submitted in addition to the quota for each State. No candidature
can be submitted to UNESCO without irrefutable proof of the agreement of the
community or the bearers concerned.
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