What is intangible cultural heritage?

The CIP, definition

The CIP covers oral expressions and traditions, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices related to the performing arts, craft know-how and knowledge related to nature and the universe.

The involvement of individuals or groups carrying these intangible cultural practices is the first condition for safeguarding this type of heritage.

A living heritage that bears witness to cultural diversity, the ICP links physical and natural heritage and contributes to sustainable development.

Horseback riding in French tradition is a practice based on harmony of man-horse relations, lightness and the absence of constraints. It is the only PCI concerning the whole of France, with the Gourmet Meal of the French.

The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICP

In 2006, France ratified the Unesco Convention of 17 October 2003 for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Convention targets the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and know-how that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. Its aim is to raise public awareness of intangible cultural practices, to strengthen the recognition of holders and practitioners and to improve the conditions for exercising, transmitting, safeguarding and disseminating such practices.

Its implementation has been entrusted in France, to the Ministry of Culture, to the Research, Valorisation and PCI department of the delegation to the Inspection, Research and Innovation (DIRI).

The Department’s missions

In response to the requests of the UNESCO Convention, the Ministry’s mission is to:

• draw up and maintain an inventory of Intangible Cultural Practices present in its territory;
• accompany applications on UNESCO’s lists;
• disseminate and promote the challenges of the CIP;
• conduct research and valuation actions on the CIP;
• develop business resources and propose initial and continuing training for future heritage professionals and cultural actors;
• provide secretariat for the Committee on Ethnological and Intangible Heritage.

To meet these objectives, the Ministry coordinates a network of national actors consisting of ethnology advisors and for the ICP in the cultural affairs directorates, of ICP referents located in Ethnopoles, federations and multiple specialized associations.

National Inclusions and International Registrations

The inscription of Intangible Cultural Heritage practices can be done at national or international level.

• At national level, it is via the’National inventory of the PCI in France as its listed the practices of the PCI. The inventory is constantly enriched thanks to spontaneous applications and the annual call for projects. Holders of practices registered in the Inventory receive the “PCI in France” emblem to highlight their involvement in the process of safeguarding and transmitting their living traditions.

• InternationallyIt is on the three lists established by the 2003 UNESCO Convention that ICP practices are inscribed. These three lists are: the Representative List, the Urgent Safeguard List and the Register of Good Practices. Inclusion in the National Inventory is one of the criteria for applying to both lists. National applications are subject to a quota of one application every two years, but not multinational applications.

To apply for the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Ethnological and Intangible Heritage Committee

The Committee on Ethnological and Intangible Heritage validates the requests for inclusion in the National Inventory, and formulates an advisory opinion for the Minister for applications for inclusion in the Unesco lists. It meets three to four times a year.

The French Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Centre français du PCI (Ethnopole of the Maison des Cultures du Monde), has been designated by the Ministry of Culture as «competent body for the safeguarding of the PCI present on the national territory». It is accredited as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with advisory functions to the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, its main missions are to coordinate the implementation of the Convention and to participate in the accompaniment of applications to UNESCO’s lists. It is also an active player in raising public awareness through the various exhibitions, educational workshops, conferences and events it organizes.

The centre houses the archives of the Maison des Cultures du Monde, part of which can be consulted online on the multimedia database Ibn Battuta, as well as its collections of objects (musical instruments, masks).

Other actors

Finally, many other actors participate in the action and reflection around the CIP such as:

• several units and laboratories (University, CNRS) including Lahic (IIAC, CNRS/EHESS), which study heritage policies in France and around the world;
• communities;
• institutions;
• associations;
• researchers, practitioners;
• etc.

To discover the main actors of the PCI backup

Research and exploitation

Study days, symposia, conferences, exhibitions, etc., are very regularly organized by the various members, public and private, of the PCI network in France. Some of these events are supported or co-developed by the Ministry of Culture. CIP prizes are awarded at the festivals «Cinéma du réel» and «Jean-Rouch» (Ethnographic Film Committee), which promote ethnographic films.