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Whistled language

Turkey

    

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Inscribed in 2017 (12.COM) on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2014 :

Whistled language is a method of communication that uses whistling to simulate and articulate words. The practice developed as a result of the steep mountains and rugged topography of the region, which required the local population to find an alternative way to communicate across long distances. The practitioners are mainly agricultural communities who spend most of their lives outdoors. The communities concerned consider this practice to be a key reflection of their cultural identity, which reinforces interpersonal communication and solidarity. Although the community is aware of the importance of this practice, technological developments and socioeconomic changes have led to a decline in the number of practitioners and areas where it is spoken. One of the key threats to the practice is the use of mobile phones. The new generation’s interest in whistled language has diminished considerably and there is a risk that the element will be gradually torn from its natural environment, becoming an artificial practice. In spite of such threats, the communities have been actively promoting this linguistic practice both nationally and internationally to ensure its sustainability, and whistled language is still transmitted from generation to generation in the context of parent-child relations through both formal and informal methods.

© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture/Ministry of Culture and Tourism
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016
© Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, General Directorate of Research and Training 2016

Periodic reporting

Periodic Report (USL)

A. Cover sheet

A.1.

State Party

Name of State Party

Turkey

A.2.

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

This information is available online.

2006-03-27

A.3.

Element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List that is the subject of this report

Name of element

Whistled language

Inscribed in

2017

Submitting State(s)

Turkey

A.4.

Reporting period covered by this report

Please indicate the period covered by this report.

06-12-2017 - 15-12-2021

A.5.

Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any

Please list all other elements from your country inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, together with the year of inscription; for multinational elements, please indicate the other States concerned.

A.6.

Executive summary of the report

Please provide an executive summary of the report that will allow general readers to understand the current status of the element, any positive or negative impacts of inscription, the implementation of safeguarding measures during the reporting period and their possible update for the following years.

Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region, which have challenging and mountainous terrain formed the region’s intangible cultural heritage. Whistled Language, other name of the element is Bird Language, was evolved from a method of communication by whistles that creates a sound with the help of the fingers, tongue, teeth, lips and cheeks.

At the beginning of the 60’s to the time of inscription, the element was only known by locals, few academicians and researchers. It was about the disappear under the threats of developments in modern technology, communication and increasement of using mass and new media by younger generations who are the main actors in transmission for viability of the element.

After the inscription, promotional news in mass and new media was very effective for raising awareness and ensuring viability of the element. State and private news agencies made news about the inscription and ICH at national level and distributed this news to the international news agencies. With these efforts, promotional news, articles and columns published in national, international mass and new media. There are also social media accounts and pages opened related to whistled language on Facebook, YouTube and Dailymotion followed by many users. From 2017 to 2021, there have been 6700 news, articles and columns published in national mass and new media. This number have risen up to 11400 in international mass and new media, according to google statistics by the end of September 2021, which are subjected to not just only Turkey’s whistle language but also other countries’ that Turkey shares common intangible cultural heritage.

“Whistled Language Festival” have been welcoming its guests from all regions of Turkey since 1997, participations to festival have been increased up to 10000 people from Turkey and abroad and festival represents itself at international level. The movie “Sibel”, which was related to whistle language, was shot in 2017. The movie has been nominated for 18 international awards and won 12. The movie was not approved by a bearer of the element, because in his opinion, the film was not reflecting his tradition and thoughts.

Ministry of Industry and Technology-Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration’s (DOKAP) projects were very important for transmission and viability of the element and sustainable development for the region. “Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project” was aiming to make an inclusive inventory of natural, tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The element took place in inventory with documentary, articles and mapping. “Promotion, Enhancing Viability of Whistled Language and Development of Tourism in the Region of Giresun-Çanakç?-Ku?köy” project aims to promote and ensure viability of the element at national and international levels by organizing various activities and to develop tourism in the region for sustainable development.

Approximately 30 children between 7-13 ages attended whistle language courses in Ku?köy Village. Public Education Centre of Giresun Çanakç? District have trained 99 trainees in 2018. These trainings have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020.
Turkey has one element “Whistled Language” inscribed on USL, it was decided by the local ICH boards, academicians, bearers and practitioners that the situation of the element and update for safeguarding measures general meeting held once in 4-year period with the participation of all responsible bodies.

General meeting “Whistled Language Safeguarding Measures Action Plan Updating Workshop” were held on 31.10.2019 with the participation of Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT), Ministry of National Education, DOKAP, ICH boards, local administrations, universities, NGOs, bearers, practitioners and updated safeguarding measures as mentioned below.

A.7.

Contact person for correspondence

Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.

Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)

Mr

Family name

Kaynakci

Given name

Ahmet Gökhan

Institution/position

Expert Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage General Directorate of Research and Training

Address

Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Ismet Inönü Bulvari No: 5 Kat:9 Oda: 901
06100 Emek/Ankara

Telephone number

+90312 4707800

E-mail address

ahmet.kaynakci@ktb.gov.tr

Other relevant information

sokum@ktb.gov.tr gokhan.kaynakci@gmail.com

B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

Refer to the nomination file or to previous reports, if any, as the basis for reporting on the current status of the element, and report only on relevant changes since the date of inscription on the List or since the previous report. Nomination files, specific timetables and earlier reports, if any, are available at https://ich.unesco.org or from the Secretariat, upon request.

The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report, and is asked to describe how it has done so in point D below.

B.1.

Social and cultural functions

Please explain the social and cultural functions and meanings of the element today, within and for its community, the characteristics of the bearers and practitioners, and any specific roles or categories of persons with special responsibilities towards the element, among others. Attention should be given to any relevant changes related to inscription criterion U.1 (‘the element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention’).

Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region, which have challenging and mountainous terrain, formed the region’s intangible cultural heritage. Whistled Language, other name of the element is Bird Language, which formed in line with the needs of daily life in tough geographical conditions of the region. The steep slope of the mountains enables dispersed settlements that make daily life difficult for communication among locals. In these tough conditions, whistled language was evolved from a method of communication by whistles that creates a sound with the help of the fingers, tongue, teeth, lips and cheeks. It is the formulation of words emerged by combining different sounds or tones that has been transmitted from generation to generation. It is an alternative way to carry out social life for local communities of the region.

The social function of the element is to communicate among locals in need for something, social interaction or help. Different sound variations made by whistling used in daily life among local people for social interaction and solidarity such as “Okay”, “come”, “go”, “let’s drink tea together”, “Would you like to join us tomorrow to harvest hazelnuts?”, “I need help for the tea farming” and warning for S.O.S like “There is a forest fire!”, “There is a landslide !”. This kind of communication is not only making life easier and more harmonious but also reinforcing social cohesion and solidarity among the people living in the region. In this context, for its community the element has been a part of their cultural identity like other ICH domains such as knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, oral traditions and expressions, including language, that evolved from the tough geographical conditions of the region. The element has been practicing by the local communities for centuries in social life. Its cultural meaning shaped around this social cohesion and solidarity. A village named “Ku?köy” (Bird Village), where the most practitioners of the element live, and a proverb used by local community “Even though we lived our romances by using whistled language” are good examples of the cultural meaning of the element for its community.

The element is practiced by all segments of society of the region without any discrimination of age, gender. The practitioners of the element are mainly agricultural communities who spend most of their times in outdoors.

B.2.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

Please describe the current level of viability of the element, particularly the frequency and extent of its practice, the strength of traditional modes of transmission, the demographics of practitioners and audiences and its sustainability. Please also identify and describe the threats, if any, to the element's continued transmission and enactment and describe the severity and immediacy of such threats, giving particular attention to any strengthening or weakening of the element’s viability subsequent to inscription.

Raising awareness of element had begun in 1963, when group of journalists came to Ku?köy Village and saw villagers practicing whistled language. Reports of journalists in newspapers took interest of researchers and international tv channels. Only academic, folklore researches and some documentary broadcastings took place from then to inscription.

Mass media gave wide coverage for inscription of the element in 2017. Distribution of brochures and documentary films raised awareness of the element at national and international levels. Practice of the element extended among younger generations by training programs. “Whistled Language Festival” have been welcoming its guests from all regions of Turkey since 1997, participations from abroad to festival have been increased and festival represents itself at international level.

Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration (DOKAP) has an important role for ensuring viability of the element and cultural heritage with its projects. Another important fact for current increased viability of the element is shooting a movie in its own environment with international cooperation related to the element.

Current threat for the element has been COVID-19 pandemic since the end of 2019. Due to pandemic situations; events and organizations were cancelled in 2020 and ongoing 2021. Activities and organizations are predicted to be held in 2022 summer.

General threat is climate change for geographical locations where the element is practiced. Those regions are rainy and humid every season. Heavy rainfalls may cause flood, landslide and can damage settlements.

Increasing use of mass media and negative impact of modern technology was also a threat. With inscription and current increased viability of the element and by means of positive impacts of safeguarding measures, the element’s transmission by trainings have been increased with broad participation of younger generation.

The increase of training programs have been exposed threat for the lack of master trainers. Related local administrations, institutions and NGO’s are planning to propose new projects about “Training of master trainers projects” while updating safeguarding measures.

B.3.

Implementation of safeguarding measures

Please report on the safeguarding measures described in the nomination file, and previous report, if any. Describe how they have been implemented and how they have substantially contributed to the safeguarding of the element during the reporting period, taking note of external or internal constraints such as limited resources. Include, in particular, information on the measures taken to ensure the viability of the element by enabling the community to continue to practise and transmit it. Include the following detailed information concerning the implementation of the set of safeguarding measures or safeguarding plan:

B.3.a. Objectives and results

Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.

Safeguarding measures described in the nomination file are generalized and redesigned as primary objectives and results indicated below.

Primary Objective-1: Raising Awareness and ensuring viability of the Element

• Result-1: Mass media gave wide coverage for inscription of the element. Promotional news of inscription raised awareness, increased and ensured viability at local, national and international levels. From 2017 to 2021, there have been 6700 news, articles and columns published in national mass and new media. This number have risen up to 17100 in international mass and new media, according to google statistics by the end of November 2021, which are subjected to not just only Turkey’s whistle language but also other countries’ that Turkey shares common intangible cultural heritage.

• Result-2: Distribution of brochures, books and shooting documentary films raised awareness and enhance viability of the element at national and international levels. At least 1500 brochures and 1500 documentary films published by Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) were distributed to national and international organizations. The documentary film of Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other institution’s documentary films uploaded to new media that were viewed more than 100000. However, there are approximately 230000 different videos of the element on YouTube and Dailymotion, according to the google statistics by the end of September 2021, related to the element.

• Result-3: Within the context of Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration’s (DOKAP) project “Promotion, Enhancing Viability of Whistled Language and Development of Tourism in the Region of Giresun-Çanakç?-Ku?köy” reconstructed 22 homes, 3 school buildings, 1 mill and other cultural spaces in accordance with the traditional architecture of the region to develop tourism and prevent threats against climate change.

• Result-4: “Whistled Language Festival” have been welcoming its guests from all regions of Turkey since 1997, participations to festival have been increased up to 10000 people from Turkey and abroad and festival represents itself at international level.

• Result-5: The movie “Sibel” were shot in 2017. The movie has been nominated for 18 international awards and won 12.

• Result-6: Whistled Language safeguarding measures action plan was updated in 2019.

• Result-7: “Whistled Language Sport Club” has 25 young members and applied to Football Federation to attend and play 2. Amateur Football League for 2022-2023 cycle.

• Result-8: Mustafa Civelek, bearer and practitioner, was registered Living Human Treasures National Inventory of Turkey in 2021.

Primary Objective-2: Transmission of the Element

• Result-1: Every semester, approximately 30 children between 7-13 ages attended to whistle language course in Ku?köy Village.

• Result-2: Public Education Centre of Giresun Çanakç? District have trained 99 trainees in 2018. The trainings cancelled since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Result-3: Whistled Language elective course has been placed in curriculum of Giresun University.

• Result-4: The element was registered to “Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project” with documentaries, articles and mappings which can be viewed on project’s website.

B.3.b. Safeguarding activities

List the key activities that were carried out during this reporting period in order to achieve these expected results. Please describe the activities in detail and note their effectiveness or any problems encountered in implementing them.

Safeguarding measures described in the nomination file are generalized and redesigned as primary objectives and activities indicated below.

Primary Objective-1: Raising Awareness and ensuring viability of the Element

• Activitiy-1: Promotional news in mass and new media is very effective for raising awareness and ensuring viability of the element. After the inscription state and private news agencies made news about the inscription and ICH at national level and distributed this news to the international news agencies. With these efforts, promotional news, articles and columns published in national, international mass and new media such as NY Times, BBC, DW and Twitter. There are also social media accounts and pages opened related to whistled language on Facebook, YouTube and Dailymotion followed by many users. HornqFu Ho, journalist from Taiwan visited Ku?köy and made interviews and shootings with the academicians, locals, bearers and practitioners of the element. These interviews and shootings were published in Taiwan’s CNA News Agency in 2020. There is also detailed information about the element and its festival designed on web pages of Ministry of Culture and Tourism-General Directorate of Research and Training and Turkish Culture Portal. Women bearers, practitioners of the element began to take initiatives for raising awareness and ensuring viability of the element. On 8 March Women’s Day, women bearers and practitioners of the element took place on celebrations and demonstrations organized in Giresun and made their celebration speeches by whistled language in 2020.

• Activity-2: The distribution of published materials began at Republic of Korea-Jeju Island during the celebrations for the inscription of the element to USL in 2017, 12.COM. Ministry of Culture and Tourism-Directorate General of Research and Training distributed “Whistled Language” brochures and documentary film to the UNESCO delegations and participants. After the inscription, this brochures and documentary film have been distributed at various events, organizations and festivals since 2017. There is another promotional documentary film “Whistle Talkers” was shot with financial support of Delegation of the European Union to Turkey. These documentaries were uploaded to official YouTube channels of Ministry of Culture of Tourism and Delegation of the European Union to Turkey. “Turkish Whistled Language” book is published by Dr. Musa Genç, the book can also read online in his website and google books.

• Activity-3: Ministry of Industry and Technology-Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration (DOKAP) has an important role for ensuring viability of the element and cultural heritage. One of the most important projects conducted by DOKAP is directly related with element and region, called “Promotion, Ensure Viability of Whistled Language and Development of Tourism in the Region of Giresun-Çanakç?-Ku?köy”. Project aims to promote and ensure viability of the element at national and international levels by organizing various activities and to develop tourism in the region for sustainable development.

• Activity-4: “Whistled Language Festival” have been welcoming its guests from all regions of Turkey and abroad since 1997, the festival is organized by Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association and local administrations with financial support of Ministry of Culture and Tourism-General Directorate of Research of Training. The financial support for the festival is totally amount of 22000 USD in 12 years, between 2007-2016. This amount has increased to 25000 USD in 2 years, between 2017-2019. Festival has been cancelled since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Activity-5: “Sibel” was premiered in 2018, directed by Guillaume Giovanetti and Ça?la Zencirci. The movie is joint production of France, Germany, Luxemburg and Turkey. The movie is about 25-year-old Sibel lives with her father and sister in a village of Turkey's Black Sea region. Sibel is a mute, but she communicates by using whistled language of the region. Rejected by her fellow villagers, she relentlessly hunts down a wolf that is said to be prowling in the neighbouring forest, sparking off fears and fantasies among the village women. The movie has been nominated 18 international awards and won 12 such as Hamburg Film Festival, London Film Week, Cannes. It was shown in theaters and other platforms in 19 countries.

• Activity-6: Whistled Language Safeguarding Measures Action Plan Updating workshop were organized on 31.10.2019 with the participation of bearers, practitioners, NGO, academicians and local administrations.

• Activity-7: Whistle Language Sport Club was found in 2020 by Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association aiming to ensure viability of the element and encourage sport activities among children and youth.

• Activity-8: Nomination of Mustafa Civelek as Living Human Treasure by Local ICH Board of Giresun.

Primary Objective-2: Transmission of the Element

• Activity-1: Whistle Language training courses has been opening in Ku?köy Village for the transmission of the element among children and youth since 2018.

• Activiy-2: Ministry of National Education (MoNE)-Directorate General of Long-life Learning organize whistle language course program and create a training module for children whose age is 7 and older in Giresun Çanakç? District Public Education Centre. The course consists of 4 modules, 132 hours of training of 99 trainees. The trainings have been cancelled since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Activity-3: Academic senate of Giresun University has adopted to add an elective whistled language course in curriculum for 3rd and 4th grade students in Faculty of Tourism.

• Activity-4: Ministry of Industry and Technology-Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration (DOKAP) conducted and finalized “Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project”, the project was aiming to make an inclusive inventory of natural, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, which before were registered or not registered inventories of the region, by collecting archival documents, audio-visual and printed publications. The element took place in inventory with documentary, articles and mapping. The inventory can be viewed online on DOKAP website.

B.3.c. Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

Describe how communities, groups or, if appropriate, individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have effectively participated, including in terms of gender roles, in the safeguarding measures. Describe the role of the implementing organization or body (name, background, etc.) and the human resources that were available for implementing safeguarding activities.

MoCT established a working group with participation of local administrations, Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association (BLSCTA), bearers, practitioners and academicians. The working group organized a meeting between 22-24 February 2016 for preparation of nomination file and determination of safeguarding measures. In this meeting nomination file was prepared and safeguarding measures were proposed and adopted by contributions and suggestions of participants. From the submission of nomination file to perioding reporting time, all responsible bodies and related community and NGOs have been actively participated safeguarding measures which are generalized and redesigned as primary objectives and activities mentioned in B.3b.

During promotional news of the inscription and following period, many journalists, columnist, film directors have been coming to region for making news, reporting and shooting films related to the element. Bearers, practitioners, without any discrimination of gender and age, academicians, BLSCTA and local administrations are welcoming, hosting, and informing, touring the region to visitors from Turkey and all around world for promoting the element.

Publications and documentary films were prepared and produced with participation and support of community, NGOs and universities. Financial and technical support were given by MoCT, DOKAP, Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, universities of the region and other responsible bodies. Projects conducted by DOKAP are carried out with in coordination and cooperation of communities, NGO, universities and related bodies.

“Whistled Language Festival” have been welcoming guests from all regions of Turkey since 1997 with hosting and touring of related community, BLSCTA and local administrations. The movie “Sibel” was shot in coordination with local administrations and local bodies. Whistled Language Sports Club was found by BLSCTA with support of community by encouraging youth to be members of the sport club.

Whistled Language training courses in Ku?köy Village have been opened by BLSCTA and local administrations with support of traditional trainers. Whistle language course program has been organized by MoNE-Directorate General of Long-life Learning and creation of a training module were supported by academicians, local administrations and traditional trainers from related community.

Role of Body and Organization for Implementation of Safeguarding Measures

• Ministry of Culture and Tourism-Directorate General of Research and Training
• Ministry of Industry and Technology- DOKAP
• Ministry of National Education- Directorate General of Long-life Learning
• Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Turkish National Commission for UNESCO
• Governorship of Giresun
• Municipality of Çanakç?
• Giresun ICH Board
• Giresun University
• Çanakç? Public Education Center
• Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association
• Prof. Dr. Musa GENÇ (Dean-Giresun University-Faculty of Tourism)
• ?eref KÖÇEK (President of BLSCTA)
• Avni KÖÇEK (Mukhtar of Ku?köy Village)
• Mustafa TEMEL (Mukhtar of Günyüzü Village)
• ?rfan KIDIK (Director of Çanakç? Public Education Center)
• Emine C?VELEK (Bearer)
• Erol C?VELEK (Trainer of whistled language)
• Y?lmaz C?VELEK (Bearer)
• Ay?enur KODALAK (Bearer)
• Muazzez KÖÇEK (Bearer)
• Gökhan KÖÇEK (Bearer)
• Ali Osman KAPLAN (Bearer)
• Recep C?VELEK (Bearer)
• Nurman KODALAK (Bearer)
• Halil KOZLU (Bearer)
• Hatice TUNCER (Bearer)

B.3.d. Timetable

Indicate in a timetable when each activity was implemented.

• Promotional news in mass and new media. 2017-ongoing

• “Whistled Language Nomination File Preparation Meeting” was held in Giresun. 22-24 February 2016.

• Promotional news, articles and columns published in national, international mass and new media such as NY Times, BBC, DW and Twitter. 2018-2019-2021

• HornqFu Ho, journalist from Taiwan visited Ku?köy and made interviews and shootings with the academicians, locals, bearers and practitioners of the element. August-2020

• Detailed information about the element and the festival on web pages of Ministry of Culture and Tourism-General Directorate of Research and Training and Turkish Culture Portal. 2017-ongoing

• Promotional documentary film “Whistle Talkers” was shot with financial support of Delegation of the European Union to Turkey. 2019-Summer (can be watched on YouTube)

• On 8 March Women’s Day, women bearers and practitioners of the element took place on celebrations and demonstrations organized in Giresun and made their celebration speeches by whistled language. 8 March 2020

• “Whistled Language” brochure prepared and documentary film were shot by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. August-November-2016 (can be watched on YouTube)

• “Turkish Whistled Language” book is published by Dr. Musa Genç. January-2021

• DOKAP conducted “Promotion, Enhancing Viability of Whistled Language and Development of Tourism in the Region of Giresun-Çanakç?-Ku?köy”. September 2018-May 2019

• “Bird Language Festival” has been organized annually. 1997-ongoing

• Academic senate of Giresun University has adopted to add an elective whistled language course in curriculum for 3rd and 4th grade students in Faculty of Tourism for 2021-2022 semesters. July 2019.

• “Sibel” movie was shot. 2017

• Whistle Language training courses has been opening in Ku?köy Village. 2018-ongoing

• Ministry of National Education Directorate General of Long-life Learning has organized whistle language course program and create a training module for children whose age is 7 and older. 2018

• Ministry of Industry and Technology-Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration (DOKAP) conducted “Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project” 2017-2019

• Whistled Language Safeguarding Measures Action Plan Updating workshop were organized in 31.10.2019

• Whistle Language Sport Club was found. July 2020.

B.3.e. Budget expenditures

Provide the detailed amounts of the funds used for the implementation of each activity (if possible, in US dollars), identifying the funding source for each (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

• “Bird Language Festival” has been organized annually.
Fund: 20.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism- General Directorate of Research and Training

• Ministry of National Education Directorate General of Long-life Learning organize whistle language course program and create a training module for children whose age is 7 and older.
Fund: 10.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of National Education, Local Administration of Çanakç? District.

• “Whistled Language” brochure prepared and documentary film were shot.
Fund: 10.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

• “Whistled Language Nomination File Preparation Meeting” was held in Giresun.
Fund: 1.000 USD
Whistled Language Safeguarding Measures Action Plan Updating workshop
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

• “Sibel” movie was shot.
Fund: 410.774 USD
Resource Fund: Les Films du Tambour, Riva Filmproduktion, Bidibul Productions, Mars Productions, Reborn Production, Agence Nationale de Gestion des Oeuvres Audiovisuelles (ANGOA), CNC Aide aux cinémas du monde - Institut Français, Centre National du Cinéma, Cofinova 14, Eurimages, Film Fund Luxembourg, Filmförderungsanstalt, La Région Île-de-France, Moulin d'Andé-CECI, Natixis Coficiné, Pyramide International, Schleswig-Holstein Film Commission.

• Whistle Language training courses has been opened in Ku?köy Village.
Fund: 4.000 USD
Resource Fund: Çanakç? Municipality and local administrations.

• Ministry of Industry and Technology-Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration (DOKAP) conducted “Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project”
Fund: 600.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Industry and Technology- DOKAP.

• DOKAP conducted “Promotion, Enhancing Viability of Whistled Language and Development of Tourism in the Region of Giresun-Çanakç?-Ku?köy”.
Fund: 200.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Industry and Technology- DOKAP.

• Promotional documentary film “Whistle Talkers” was shot with financial support of Delegation of the European Union to Turkey.
Fund: 10.000 USD
Resource Fund: Delegation of the European Union to Turkey.

• Whistle Language Sport Club was found. July 2020.
Fund: 5000 USD
Resource Fund: Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association, Local administrations.

• Promotional news in mass and new media.
Fund: -

• Detailed information about the element and the festival on web pages of Ministry of Culture and Tourism-General Directorate of Research and Training and Turkish Culture Portal.
Fund: -

• Promotional news, articles and columns published in national, international mass and new media such as NY Times, BBC, DW and Twitter.
Fund: -

• Academic senate of Giresun University has adopted to add an elective whistled language course in curriculum for 3rd and 4th grade students in Faculty of Tourism for 2021-2022 semesters.
Fund: -

• On 8 March Women’s Day, women bearers and practitioners of the element took place on celebrations and demonstrations organized in Giresun and made their celebration speeches by whistled language.
Fund: -

• HornqFu Ho, journalist from Taiwan visited Ku?köy and made interviews and shootings with the academicians, locals, bearers and practitioners of the element. August-2020
Fund: -

• “Turkish Whistled Language” book is published online by Dr. Musa Genç. January-2021
Fund: -

B.3.f. Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

Provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the activities undertaken to achieve the expected results and of the efficiency of the use of funds for implementing the activities. Please indicate how the activities contributed to achieving the results and whether other activities could have contributed better to achieving the same results. Also indicate whether the same results could have been achieved with less funding, whether the human resources available were appropriate and whether communities, groups and individuals could have been better involved.

From 60’s to the time of inscription, the element was only known by locals, few academicians and researchers. It was about to disappear under the threats of developments in modern technology, communication and increasement of using mass and new media by younger generations who are the main actors in transmission for viability of the element. After the inscription of the element, safeguarding measures were updated into 2 primary objectives.
Promotional news, reports and shooting film and documentaries related to the element at national and international level were the key factors for raising awareness and draw public attention to the region and the whistled language. This public attention increased the number of participants of Whistled Language Festival from all regions of Turkey. Especially the use of new media such as YouTube, Dailymotion brought the element to the screens of the masses. The outcomes of these new media activities turned the new media threat into an effective tool for raising awareness and ensuring viability of the element.

Promotional safeguarding activities also draw the attention of other governmental bodies into the region. DOKAP projects have an important role not just for ensuring viability of the element but also sustainable development for the region. Viability and transmission of the element is connected with economic and social development of the region. Results of the training activities are mostly achieved. With the local training courses in Ku?köy Village and Çanakç? District, most of the children and youth population trained whistled language and finished the courses. Under the COVID-19 pandemic circumstances, many activities were held online. These activities were announced at national level; thus, these online activities contributed the broad participation from every segment of society not just only from the region but also from all regions of Turkey. Giresun University’s adoption for elective whistled language courses in Faculty of Tourism would be very helpful for the viability, transmission and safeguarding, considering that there are many students who are coming from different regions of Turkey, if there wouldn’t be lack of enough trainers for the courses.

The funds for implementing the activities were used efficiently, moreover use of the modern technology and development of mass and new media, which mentioned as a main threat above, became an opportunity for raising awareness, ensuring viability of the element. Many safeguarding activities that were very helpful for reaching the expected results implemented by using mass and new media without any funds.

C. Update of the safeguarding measures

C.1.

Updated safeguarding plan

Please provide an update of the safeguarding plan included in the nomination file or in the previous report. In particular provide detailed information as follows:

  1. a. What primary objective(s) will be addressed and what concrete results will be expected?
  2. b. What are the key activities to be carried out in order to achieve these expected results? Describe the activities in detail and in their best sequence, addressing their feasibility.
  3. c. How will the State(s) Party(ies) concerned support the implementation of the updated safeguarding plan?

“Whistled Language Safeguarding Measures Action Plan Updating Workshop” were held on 31.10.2019 with the participation of MoCT, MoNE, DOKAP, ICH boards, local administrations, universities, NGOs, bearers, practitioners and updated safeguarding measures as mentioned below.

a.
Primary Objective-1: Raising Awareness and ensuring viability of the Element

• Result-1: There will be websites and channels. This will contribute raising awareness of element by large masses at international level. It will also contribute interaction and communication of bearers and practitioners of common ICH elements around the world which is also important respect for cultural diversity, human creativity and mutual understanding.

• Result-2: Whistled Language Festival will be participated at international level.

• Result-3: To contribute raising awareness of the element by organizing events.

• Result-4: Projects will be conducted by governmental bodies, universities and NGOs.

• Result-5: Broadcasting projects will be technically and financially supported.

• Result-6: Safeguarding action plan will be updated in 2022.

Primary Objective-2: Transmission of the Element

• Result-1: Trainings will reach more children and youth.

• Result-2: Training of master trainers will be finished and elective courses in Giresun University (GU) will begin in 2023-2024.

• Result-3: Applications for digital devices will be developed.

b. and c.
Primary Objective-1: Raising Awareness and ensuring viability of the Element.

• Activitiy-1: As it was noticed in previous safeguarding measures that promotional news in mass and new media is very effective for raising awareness and ensuring viability of element. In this context Mass and new media will be used actively.
Responsible Body: MoCT, Anadolu Agency, DOKAP, GU, Turkish National Commission for UNESCO (TNCU), BLSCTA.

• Activity-2: International invitations will be sent to bearers, practitioners, that have common cultural heritage, academicians, journalists and new media influencers for participating Whistled Language Festival.
Responsible Body: MoCT, TNCU, Local Administrations, BLSCTA.

• Activity-3: Festivals, symposiums and workshops will be organized at national and international levels. Panels, seminars and meetings will be held at universities, schools.
Responsible Body: MoCT, MoNE, Universities, BLSCTA.

• Activity-4: All projects related to element will be supported.
Responsible Body: MoCT, DOKAP, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜB?TAK).

• Activity-5: Broadcasting project competitions will be organized and winners of the competitions will be technically and financially supported.
Responsible Body: MoCT, Turkish Radio and Television Cooperation (TRT), Radio Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), GU.

• Activity-6: Whistled Language Safeguarding Action Plan workshop will be organized in 2022.
Responsible Body: MoCT, TNCU, GU, BLSCTA.

Primary Objective-2: Transmission of the Element

• Activity-1: Training courses in Ku?köy Village and Directorate General of Long-life Learning course program in Giresun Çanakç? District Public Education Centre will continue trainings in 2022.
Responsible Bodies: MoCT, MoNE, Local Administrations, BLSCTA.

• Activiy-2: GU and DOKAP will carry out a project called “Training of the Master Trainers” in order to train bearers for elective courses in universities.
Responsible Bodies: GU, DOKAP.

• Activity-3: Training applications will be developed for Apple and Android devices.
Responsible Bodies: MoNE, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Universities and TÜB?TAK.

C.2.

Timetable for future actitivies

Provide a timetable for the updated safeguarding plan (within a time-frame of approximately four years).

Primary Objective-1: Raising Awareness and ensuring viability of the Element

• Activitiy-1: Mass and new media will be used actively. January 2022-December 2025

• Activity-2: International invitations will be sent to bearers, practitioners, that have common cultural heritage, academicians, journalists and new media influencers for participating Whistled Language Festival. January 2022- December 2025

• Activity-3: Festivals, symposiums and workshops will be organized at national and international levels. Panels, seminars and meetings will be held at universities, schools. January 2022- December 2025

• Activity-4: All projects related to element will be supported. January 2022- December 2025

• Activity-5: Broadcasting project competitions will be organized related to element and winners of the competitions will be technically and financially supported. January 2022- December 2025

• Activity-6: Whistled Language Safeguarding Action Plan workshop will be organized in 2022 and 2024. 2022-2024

Primary Objective-2: Transmission of the Element

• Activity-1: Whistle language training courses in Ku?köy Village and Directorate General of Long-life Learning whistle language course program in Giresun Çanakç? District Public Education Centre will continue trainings. January 2022- December 2025

• Activiy-2: GU and DOKAP will carry out a project called “Training of the Master Whistled Language Trainers” in order to train more bearers for elective courses in universities. 2022 Spring-Winter

• Activity-3: Training applications will be developed for Apple and Android devices. January 2022-December 2025

C.3.

Budget for future activities

Provide the estimates of the funds required for implementing the updated safeguarding plan (if possible, in US dollars), identifying any available resources (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

Primary Objective-1: Raising Awareness and ensuring viability of the Element

• Activitiy-1: Mass and new media will be used actively.
Fund –

• Activity-2: International invitations will be sent to bearers, practitioners, that have common cultural heritage, academicians, journalists and new media influencers for participating Whistled Language Festival.
Fund: 100.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Local Administrators

• Activity-3: Festivals, symposiums and workshops will be organized at national and international levels. Panels, seminars and meetings will be held at universities, schools.
Fund: 50.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Education, Universities, Local Administrations.

• Activity-4: Projects related to element will be supported.
Fund: 50.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Education, Universities, DOKAP, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.

• Activity-5: Broadcasting project competitions will be organized and winners of the competitions will be technically and financially supported.
Fund: 20.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Education, Universities, DOKAP, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.

• Activity-6: Whistled Language Safeguarding Action Plan workshop will be organized in 2022 and 2024.
Fund: 10.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Local Administrations, Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association.

Primary Objective-2: Transmission of the Element

• Activity-1: Whistle language training courses in Ku?köy Village and Directorate General of Long-life Learning whistle language course program in Giresun Çanakç? District Public Education Centre will continue trainings.
Fund: 20.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Education, Local Administrations, Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association.

• Activiy-2: GU and DOKAP will carry out a project called “Training of the Master Whistled Language Trainers” in order to train more bearers for elective courses in universities.
Fund: 40.000 USD
Resource Fund: Giresun University, DOKAP, Local Administrations.

• Activity-3: Training applications will be developed for Apple and Android devices.
Fund: 10.000 USD
Resource Fund: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Universities, DOKAP.

C.4.

Community participation

Please describe how communities, groups and individuals, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have been involved, including in terms of gender roles, in updating the safeguarding plan, and how they will be involved in its implementation.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism established a working group with participation of Ministry of National Education, Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association, local ICH board, academicians, bearers and practitioners, communities and groups for preparation of nomination file between 22-24 February 2016. In this meeting nomination file prepared and safeguarding measures proposed, evaluated and approved by contributions and suggestions of participants, which were stated and proposed safeguarding measures in section 3-b of the nomination file no. 00658. Participants also confirm their support for inscription of nomination file “Whistled Language” to the USL with their letter of consents.

Turkey has one element “Whistled Language” inscribed on USL, it was decided by the local ICH boards, academicians, bearers and practitioners that the situation of the element and update for safeguarding measures general meeting held once in 4-year period with the participation of all responsible bodies.

After the inscription, ICH boards of related cities have established evaluation bodies consist of NGOs, local ICH boards, academicians, bearers and practitioners, communities and groups, these evaluation bodies have been organizing local meetings once in a year in order to review the element and suggest new safeguarding measures.

General meeting “Whistled Language Safeguarding Measures Action Plan Updating Workshop” were held on 31.10.2019 with the participation of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of National Education, DOKAP, ICH boards, local administrations, universities, NGOs, bearers, practitioners and updated safeguarding measures as mentioned above.

C.5.

Institutional context

Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:

  1. a. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
  2. b. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism-General Directorate of Research and Training (Competent Body)

Ministry of National Education-Directorate General of Long-life Learning
Ministry of Industry and Technology-Eastern Black Sea Project Development Administration (DOKAP)
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Delegation of the European Union to Turkey
Turkish National Commission for UNESCO
Giresun University
Governorship of Giresun
Municipality of Çanakç?
Giresun Çanakç? District Public Education Centre
Giresun ICH Board
Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association
Whistle Language Sport Club
Prof. Dr. Musa GENÇ (Dean-Giresun University-Faculty of Tourism)
?eref KÖÇEK (President of Bird Language Sustenance Culture and Tourism Association)
Avni KÖÇEK (Mukhtar of Ku?köy Village)
Mustafa TEMEL (Mukhtar of Günyüzü Village)
?rfan KIDIK (Director of Çanakç? Public Education Center)
Emine C?VELEK (Bearer)
Erol C?VELEK (Trainer of whistled language)
Y?lmaz C?VELEK (Bearer)
Ay?enur KODALAK (Bearer)
Muazzez KÖÇEK (Bearer)
Gökhan KÖÇEK (Bearer)
Ali Osman KAPLAN (Bearer)
Recep C?VELEK (Bearer)
Nurman KODALAK (Bearer)
Halil KOZLU (Bearer)
Hatice TUNCER (Bearer)

D. Participation of communities in preparing this report

Describe the measures taken to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report.

Following the focal points training in April, several online meetings have organized by Department of ICH in Ministry of Culture and Tourism with ICH experts at the ministry and ICH boards of 81 city of Turkey to evaluate and analyse the new periodic reporting system. In these meetings, participants determined a road map and timetable for preparing process of the periodic report and possible stakeholders for every element that inscribed on the ICH lists. ICH boards, which are consist of local administrations, public education centres, NGOs, bearers and practitioners of ICH elements, had an important role in determining stakeholders at local level.

Following these online meetings, Department of ICH and ICH boards organized online presentation meetings with determined stakeholders, which were consist of communities, groups, academicians, NGOs and individuals. In this meeting, ICH experts made a presentation about periodic reporting and informed stakeholders. These meetings were very fruitful in terms of taking feedbacks, suggestions and opinions from stakeholders for the periodic reporting process. After these informative meetings, reporting form translated to Turkish and sent to the stakeholders for their opinions and fulfilment. Department of ICH and ICH boards organized a last general meeting with the stakeholders and shared the completed periodic report form for their comments, thoughts, suggestions and last time edition.

E. Signature on behalf of the State Party

The report should be signed by an official empowered to do so on behalf of the State, and should include his or her name, title and the date of submission.

Name

Okan ?bi?

Title

Director General

Date

30-11-2021

Signature

Signed

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