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Definition of Intangible Cultural Heritage

 

When we say « Immaterial Cultural heritage », we talk about the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and know how – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural space associated with them- that the communities, groups, and somehow the individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.

This intangible cultural heritage, carry on from generations to generations, is rework permanently by the communities and groups in function of their surroundings, their interactions with nature and their history and give them a feeling of identity and continuity, in that way taking some part to promote the respect of cultural diversity and human creativity. Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage takes into consideration the immaterial cultural heritage who can apply to the existing international instruments regarding human rights, as well as mutual respects between communities, groups and individuals and to sustainable development.

​The “immaterial cultural heritage” can manifest itself in the following domains:

  • The traditions and oral expressions, involving the language as a vector of immaterial cultural heritage
  • The arts of spectacle
  • The social practices, rites and festivity
  • The knowledge and uses regarding nature and universe
  • The know-hows link with traditional craftsmanship

Team, Preslav / ©Alice de Villeblanche

About ECHU  

Bulgaria, which joined the European Union in 2007, remains a country that is still unknown to the European public. Yet the cultural and human wealth of this country deserves our attention and to be discovered and preserved. With this in mind, the Open Space Foundation is launching the ECHU- European Cultural

Heritage United Us project.

In order to foster a spirit of interculturality, European volunteers are immersed in the heart of a region of Bulgaria and its population, currently in the city of Veliki Preslav. The project aims to collect, digitize and present Bulgaria’s intangible heritage. The volunteers involved are setting up an initiative to involve Europeans in Bulgarian culture and heritage through various partnerships and communication media.

The project is carried out with the financial support of the European Erasmus + – European Solidarity Corps programme and the Bulgarian National Agency.

​In 2019

​The project is composed of a team of 3 volunteers: Gabin and Alice from France and Daniel, a volunteer from Preslav. They are also followed by a local coordinator, Pavlina. They will live for six months (February 1 to July 31, 2019) in Veliki Preslav for this long-term volunteer work.

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European Solidarity Corps

ESC is a volunteering program for young Europeans between 18 and 30 years old who, through an online platform, propose different missions offered by associations or structures centered around public interest themes (culture, social assistance, ecology…).

If you wish to know more about the program and/or the platform that supported it, you can click on the following link: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en 

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