There will be no more proclamations of masterpieces

(Rieks Smeets, Interview by Stephen Roberts)

　　Rieks Smeets, head of UNESCO's Intangible Heritage Section, examines the implications of the entry into force of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006.

　　Question: How would you define oral and intangible heritage in very simple terms?

　　Smeets: Rather than defining it, it may be better to recapitulate the areas covered by this heritage. It concerns music and traditional dance; traditional theatre; oral expressions such as folktales or sagas; traditional knowledge related to nature and the universe; skills linked to craftsmanship; and rituals and festive events like carnivals. Generally, they are expressions passed down from one generation to the next that play a significant role in the communities where they are practiced, inasmuch as they give them a sense of continuity and identity.

　　Among the many masterpieces proclaimed by UNESCO, we can give special mention to the Patum in the city of Berga (Spain), proclaimed in 2005. It's a noteworthy example because all the inhabitants are invited to participate, including the children. They take part in the festivities by parading in the street like the adults, but with a miniature bestiary. They learn in this way to imitate the grown-ups' behaviour and become the future actors of this heritage.

　　Q: The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2003, enters into force on April 20, (2006). What impact will this have?

　　Smeets: The text consolidates a new concept of heritage that has developed in the last three decades. In 1972, the Organization adopted a Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, focused on monuments and natural sites. Already in the 1970s we had begun thinking about other aspects of human heritage. But it took time for this approach to become concrete and to produce the convention that is now taking effect.

　　What has changed is that now a binding legal instrument exists, ratified by numerous states. This instrument, first of all, will enable raising awareness in the international community. Then it will make it possible to safeguard this heritage in new ways. The emphasis is placed on the role that must be played by the groups and communities who hold this heritage, not only to identify its different forms but also to safeguard them. Finally, the adoption of the text creates the possibility of raising additional funds to finance more programmes and actions.