The International Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) became the first international instrument to provide a legal framework to protect this heritage. Prior to its entry into force, UNESCO undertook some urgent actions. In the framework of the Programme of Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in the cluster countries of the UNESCO Moscow Office the following cultural expressions were proclaimed as Masterpieces: in 2001 “The Cultural Space and Oral Culture of the Semeiskie” (Russian Federation), in 2003 “The Duduk and its Music” (Armenia), and in 2005 “The Olonkho, Yakut Heroic Epos” (Russian Federation) and “The Azerbaijani Mugham” (Azerbaijan).

UNESCO Moscow Office assists cluster countries in developing measures to protect and promote their intangible cultural heritage, including the aforementioned Masterpieces. Particular attention is given to the safeguarding of intangible heritage through the use of modern information and communication technologies, its promotion and transmission to young generation, research, drawing up inventories of the intangible cultural heritage and creation of the databases of such heritage in the cluster countries.

Related links:

• Intangible Cultural Heritage on the unesco.org
• Text of the Convention of 2003
• Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
• Infosheet (PDF, 212 KB)
• Booklet on Intangible Cultural Heritage of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Republic of Moldova and Russian Federation (PDF, 3,49 MB)