Policies of Tradition: Intangible Cultural Heritage Introduction and Chapter 1
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UNESCO Convention, Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICH, cultural practices, cultural expressions, Switzerland, heritage safeguarding, traditional societies, modern societies, Great Divide
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Abstract
Commentary on the introduction and chapter 1 of the book 'Policies of Tradition - The Intangible Cultural Heritage' by Ellen Hertz et al., discussing Switzerland's adherence to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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[...] And secondly, of intangible heritage requiring urgent safeguarding, particularly with safeguarding measures for transmission. This introduction also revisits the history of ICH, a history made up of long hours of debate that have driven its evolution, with a succession of small steps that have established intangible protection. Initially, there was a refusal to take folklore into account with a first legal approach that ultimately did not succeed: WIPO. In 1982, a conceptual approach was taken with the Mexico Conference, which marked a first victory. [...]
[...] Indeed, there has been an awareness of the diversity of the latter and the importance of preserving and maintaining it. It is synonymous with cohesion for society because it is based on collective identity, the group and its anchoring in the environment with this strong link between nature and culture. ICH aims to be the creator of common universal value (belief/practice) to create peace from diversity. It participates in international cooperation and assistance. In addition, composed of two lists, it allows for an inventory to be made. Firstly, of intangible heritage with all its diversity. [...]
[...] We return first to Switzerland, which joined the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on July The latter represents a new category of heritage consisting of cultural practices and expressions that are not made up of material objects. The concept of ICH brings together what was previously grouped under the labels of 'custom' or 'folklore' but seeks to move away from these terms. There is also confusion and distinction to be made between certain terms such as intangible heritage and living traditions. These two terms are considered equivalent in official documents but convey different connotations. Confusion also exists between materiality and immateriality. All intangible heritage must be associated with places, forms, or material objects. [...]
[...] Thus, intangible heritage does not exist in itself, but only through the people who appreciate and transmit it. If we stop giving it value, it is no longer heritage. The authors also return to the concept of the 'Great Divide' (derived from the discovery of the New World). In other words, this concept is based on the principle that human societies are divided into two large categories: 'traditional' societies, derived from colonization, and 'modern' societies, which are legitimate to colonize others. [...]
[...] They will serve the reader to understand the case of Switzerland, which will be addressed in the following chapters. As for ICH itself, we can speak of a process that is paradoxical by principle. In fact, UNESCO is not endowed with legislative power, it only acts on the principle agreements signed by the different countries. Similarly, ICH is a convention, therefore by definition, « it accounts for an agreement between UNESCO member states on a given subject1. So there is no real inventory of authentic cultural practices. [...]
