2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?
See: UNESCO ICH – Safeguarding our living heritage: https://ich.unesco.org/en/home where they say: “Cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.”.
A full definition of ICH is at: UNESCO – What is intangible cultural heritage
So … our morris dancing and related activities is a living, intangible cultural heritage.
Why does ICH need safeguarding? This is UNESCO’s answer: UNESCO – Why safeguard intangible cultural heritage.
The ratification is finalised!
On 7th June 2024 the UK became full State Party members to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). See Press Release from UNESCO: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/intangible-cultural-heritage-united-kingdom-becomes-183rd-state-join-unescos-convention
We received this email from the DCMS:
“A short update on implementation of the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention, which officially came ‘into force’ at UNESCO on 8th June.
“Election As you know, a General Election has been announced for the 4th July. There are a lot of restrictions on work during the pre-election period so we’ve had to put the publication of our consultation response and further discussions on hold, but will be continuing to progress work in the background.
“Next steps We’re not able to give any details or expected timings at this stage, but will provide further updates around late summer after new Ministers have been briefed and settled in.
What is happening?
The UK government is planning to ratify the UNESCO 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The UK government’s DCMS (Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) has launched a public consultation on the initial stages of implementation, focusing on the defining and identifying intangible cultural heritage in the UK. This was announced on 23rd December 2023, and this first survey closed on 29th February 2024.
NOTE: We recommend you read the slides and notes from the Roundtable on 26th January to help you to find out what issues other people thought were worth raising: Slides of the ICH Roundtable Jan-Feb 2024 [PDF] and a Short summary of some of the key points of the discussion and chat [PDF].
Why is this important?
If we don’t know where we’ve come from, we can’t see where we’re going. If we don’t value what our forebears did, why will anyone value what we do now? Will everything today be in vain, forgotten, sneered at, decayed? This is our chance – our one chance to influence our future selves. These dances and tunes and songs have existed, inspired, and been robust enough to evolve but without losing their quintissential strength. We as Morris dancers may not agree with everything we do, and differ on the path of progress, but we are all passionate about what we call ‘The Morris’. That we give it that definite article demonstrates the weight of the importance of carrying the tradition forwards.
We are not a transitory people. We, the English – this ragbag of Europeans, Asians, Africans, Normans, Vikings, we cultural magpies: we adore taking this from here and that from there, and making it ours. Not better, not worse, just ours. Fish and chips; curry; rock ‘n roll, trainers – but we love keeping them. And actually, we love Morris dancing – go on, admit it, we do! We may make fun of it, but it’s our Morris dancing and only we can mock it! You go and mock your own traditional dance if you want!
Consultation on defining and identifying ICH – what is happening?
List of ICH roundtable discussions held online.
Here are the Slides of the ICH Roundtable Jan-Feb 2024 [PDF] and a Short summary of some of the key points of the discussion and chat [PDF]. We didn’t get any notes from the other meetings we attended.
Implementation – what will happen?
The first stage of implementation will be to create an inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the UK.
The second stage of implementation will be the ongoing safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the UK.
What is the Morris Federation doing?
The Morris Federation is regarded by DCMS as a key stakeholder in this process, and we are attending meetings with them to ensure that we represent our members.
In this regard we will try to represent the key activities of our membership, so not only all the styles of morris and sword dancing, but also appalachian, clog stepping and mumming for example.
When it comes to adding items to the Inventory, we may ask you to submit your own events for inclusion, but we will let you know the process for that when it has been agreed.
We are also liaising with our counterparts in the Morris Ring and Open Morris to ensure we have a common perspective.
In general, the ICH should be listed by the people undertaking the activity themselves.
Since 2021, the MF has been represented on the ICOMOS-UK’s Intangible Heritage Committee‘s National Forum, along with EFDSS, Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green, Heritage Crafts, etc.
ICOMOS = International Council on Monuments and Sites UK: ICOMOS-UK
What can our members do?
Up to 29th February 2024, please fill out the survey above.
When it comes to adding items to the Inventory, we may ask you to submit your own events for inclusion, but we will let you know the process for that when it has been agreed.
Last updated: June 2024
