Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 19 November, the 5th Intergovernmental Committee
States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage
inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
humanity: companionship, the know-how of lace at the Alençon point, the
gourmet meal of the French and falconry.
Carried by representatives of communities holding these practices
These four applications were coordinated by the Ministry of
Culture and Communication, Directorate-General for Heritage.
These inscriptions on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity are following the inscription in 2009 on this List of Maloya, tapestry
d'Aubusson, the art of framing and, on the safeguard list, the Cantu in
profane and liturgical Corsican paghjella of oral tradition.
Companionship
The French buddy system is a unique way of
knowledge and know-how related to stone, wood, metal, leather and
Its originality is due to the synthesis of the
methods and processes for transmitting extremely varied knowledge:
educational roaming at the national level (so-called “Tour de France” period)
even international, initiation rituals, school teaching, learning
customary and technical.
The application was submitted by the three French organisations
The Association Ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir Tour de
France, the Federation Compagnonnique des Métiers du Bâtiment des
Companions of the Duties of the Tour de France and L'Union Compagnonnique des
United Duties.
The know-how of lace at the Alençon point
The Alençon stitch is a rare technique of needle lace production,
practiced in Alençon in Normandy in the North-West of France. Lace
at the Alençon point owes its singular character to the high level of know-how
required and the very long time it takes to produce it (seven hours per centimetre
square). Openwork textile pieces made using this technique are used to
purposes of civil or religious ornamentation.
The application was submitted by the Ministry of Culture and Communication
(National furniture) and the city of Alençon.
The gastronomic meal of the French
The gastronomic meal of the French is a customary social practice
to celebrate the most important moments in the lives of individuals and
groups, such as births, weddings, birthdays, successes and reunions. He
is a festive meal whose guests practice, for this occasion, the art of
eating well” and “drinking well”. The gourmet meal emphasizes the fact that
to be well together, the pleasure of taste, the harmony between the human being and the
production of nature. Among its important components are:
attentive to dishes among a corpus of recipes that keeps getting richer; the purchase of
good products, preferably local, whose flavors fit well together;
the marriage between food and wine; the decoration of the table; and a gesture
specific during the tasting (smell and taste what is served at the table).
The European Institute of History and Cultures of
food (IEHCA), the candidacy was officially announced in February
2008 by the President of the Republic. The interdepartmental coordination of
dossier was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Fisheries, with the French Heritage and Food Culture Mission
(MFPCA).
Falconry
Falconry is the traditional activity of conserving and training
falcons and other raptors to catch game in its natural environment.
Originally used to procure food, it is associated with the spirit of
fellowship and sharing, more than sustenance. It is found mainly
along migration routes and corridors. Falconry is the foundation of a
cultural heritage, which includes traditional costumes, a
songs, music, poetry and dances, as many
customs maintained by the communities and clubs that practice it.
Led by the United Arab Emirates, the bid brings together 11 countries, including
France.
For more information:
(http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=335