Nepal has an exceptionally rich intangible heritage in the form of traditions, performing arts, festivals and skills of people to produce traditional crafts. These traditions are the sources of identity.  More importantly, they create cultural bonds that tie people together and facilitate their social cohesion. The 2015 earthquakes destroyed many heritage sites with exceptional craftsmanship in timber, brick, and stone.  The effect of the earthquake also interrupted people’s daily rituals, religious practices and cultural traditions. 

Within the framework of UNESCO 2003 Convention on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Office is working towards local capacity building for the identification, documentation and protection of Nepal’s intangible heritage. This is done through research, policy development and four capacity-building workshops:

• Implementing the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (April 2012);
• Community-Based Identification and Inventorying (January 2013);
• Preparing Nominations to the Convention (September 2013); and
• Developing Safeguarding Plans (November 2016)

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