Foreign experts discuss intangible cultural heritage preservation
Vietnam is one of the first pioneers to implement the 2003 Convention for
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, said UNESCO Director General
Irina Bokova.
At a recent international seminar on experiences and orientations for
preserving intangible cultural heritage in Quang Nam province, Ms. Bokova said
the Convention has been adopted by 100 nations around the world in a bid to
protect their cultural heritage.
She spoke highly of the Vietnamese government’s determination and action
to encourage the entire population to get involved in protecting and upholding
intangible cultural heritage, and sharing valuable historical assets and
cultural diversity.
Vietnamese localities should make greater preservation efforts for the
long term, she said, adding that culture gives birth to heritage and plays a
key role in the development process.
It is essential for UN member countries to set specific goals to preserve
heritage in a sustainable manner, the UNESCO General Director noted.
Professor Dr. Dawnhee Yim from Donggok University in the Republic of
Korea (RoK) shared some experiences in safeguarding intangible cultural
heritage.
Over the past four decades, masterpieces of the oral and intangible
heritage of humanity have become a focal point in conservation policies of the
Convention on Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage in the RoK.
However, he said, rapid modernization and urbanization has created
changes in time-honoured traditions, which may pose a threat to intangible
cultural heritage such as traditional customs and rituals.
Dawnhee Yim was worried about the possible disappearance of some cultural
assetsso the Korean government has allowed some changes in intangible cultural
heritage as stipulated in the UNESCO 2003 Convention.
Professor Dr. Roger L. Janelli from Bloomington University in the US
highlighted the importance of the concepts of tangible and intangible in
cultural heritage. He cited the Pyramids in Egypt and the Ho Dynasty Citadel in
Vietnam as typical examples of tangible heritage.
These heritage sites are of great significance to local people and have
become symbols of their nations. Similarly, festivals and religious rituals are
vivid examples of intangible heritage featuring traditional costumes, musical
instruments and other items.
Dr. Tvrtko Zebec from the Croatia Institute of Ethnology and Folklore
Research suggested making digitalized documents of cultural heritage.
Writings, photographs, videos and audio files are a vital source of input
for advertising culture and establishing a network of heritage owners. This
would help researchers and scientists in their work and offer the public easier
access to heritage documents. It will also make it easier and more convenient
for heritage owners, cultural organizations, policy makers and tour operators
to fully tap the potential of cultural heritage, he added.