Innovative Approaches to Preserving and Promoting Intangible Heritage

Introduction:

In our interconnected world, intangible heritage, or living heritage, represents the traditions and practices passed down through generations. The Advanced Intangible Heritage Preservation and Promotion Strategies course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, document, preserve, and promote intangible cultural heritage (ICH).

This course places a special emphasis on promotional strategies, addressing key issues such as what constitutes a promotional strategy, its necessity, and how to develop effective strategies. Participants will learn to leverage promotion to safeguard cultural diversity and identity across various regions, using case studies and best practices.

By the end of the course, participants will be adept at creating and implementing promotion strategies that support the preservation of intangible heritage and engage institutional staff in cultural preservation efforts.

Objectives:

At the end of this Advanced Intangible Heritage Preservation and Promotion Strategies course, participants will be able to:

• Describe and classify various types of cultural rights.
• Investigate and record the various aspects of the ICH.
• Formulate approaches for safeguarding and enhancing ICH.
• Engage communities in preserving their cultural heritage.
• Analyze the impacts of globalization and contemporary issues on ICH.

Training Methodology:

• Case studies
• Group discussions
• Workshops
• Field research
• Role playing
• Interactive presentations
• Expert panels
• Cultural simulations
• Self-assessment and reflection

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Introduction to Intangible Cultural Heritage:

• Definition and Scope
• What is regarded as intangible heritage?
• Difference between tangible and intangible heritage
• Types of Intangible Heritage:
  • Oral traditions and expressions
  • Performing arts
  • Social practices, rituals, and festival events
  • Knowledge and beliefs concerning environmental sustainability
  • Traditional crafts
• Historical Context:
  • Development of intangible heritage documentation
  • Important events and global treaties

Unit 2: Identification and Documentation:

• Methodologies for Identification:
  • Community-based methods
  • Ethnographic research methods
• Documentation Techniques:
  • Audiovisual documentation
  • Oral history films and digital storage
  • Interviews and participant observation
• Case Projects:
  • Successful documentation models
  • Challenges and solutions in documentation

Unit 3: Preservation and Safeguarding Strategies:

• Principles of Preservation:
  • Long-term preservation approaches
  • Ethical considerations in heritage preservation
• Environmental Aspects:
  • Role of communities in heritage protection
  • Participatory methods and co-management strategies
• Legal and Institutional Contexts:
  • Treaties and domestic laws
  • Roles of governmental and non-governmental bodies

Unit 4: Safeguarding and Promotion of Living Heritage:

• Incorporating heritage into educational processes
• Media and Technologies:
  • Using the Internet for heritage promotion
  • Social networks and virtual tours
• Cultural Festivals and Events:
  • Planning and conducting cultural festivals
  • Advocacy for cultural tourism
  • Comprehensive community promotion

Unit 5: Challenges and Future Directions:

• Impact of Globalization on Cultural Politics:
  • Cultural conservatism vs. change
  • Conservation vs. contemporary needs
• Policy Incorporation:
  • Creating and implementing heritage policies
  • Advocacy and protection measures
• Emerging Concepts and Technologies:
  • New developments in heritage studies
  • Technological advancements and implications for preservation