U united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization organisation des nations unies pour l'éducation, la science et la culture 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris CEDEX 15 adresse postale : B.P.3.07 Paris téléphone : national 01.45.68.10.00 international + (33.1) 45.68.10.00 télégrammes : UNESCO Paris télex : 204461 Paris 270602 Paris téléfax : 01.45.67.16.90 23/01/2004 référence : CL/3698 Subject: Third proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (July 2005) Sir/Madam, I have pleasure in inviting your Government to submit a candidature with a view to the Third Proclamation by UNESCO, in July 2005, of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Awarded every two years, this international distinction was created pursuant to resolution 23, adopted by the General Conference at its 29th session, and decision 3.5.5, adopted by the Executive Board at its 155th session. As stipulated in the Regulations annexed to the aforementioned Board decision, the distinction concerns cultural spaces or forms of cultural expression of outstanding value in that they represent either a strong concentration of the intangible cultural heritage of outstanding value or a popular and traditional cultural expression of outstanding value from a historical, artistic, ethnological, sociological, anthropological, linguistic or literary point of view. Upon the recommendation of the International Jury for the First and Second Proclamations (2001 and 2003), UNESCO has so far proclaimed 47 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from all regions of the world. To facilitate the elaboration of candidature files, I enclose herewith the revised version of the Guide for the submission of candidatures, which contains the detailed criteria developed by the International Jury (Elche, Spain, 21-23 September 2001), in accordance with paragraph 4(b) of the Regulations relating to the proclamation. I also enclose additional technical guidelines for the presentation of candidature files in the light of experience gained through the Second Proclamation, as well as the timetable for the Third Proclamation. The candidature files, which should be received by 30 September 2004 at the latest, should be drawn up in accordance with the standard form annexed to the aforementioned Guide, completed in English or French, and be sent to Mr Rieks Smeets, Chief of the Intangible Heritage Section, at the following address: UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, France; tel.: + 33 (1) 45 68 45 19, fax: +33 (1) 45 68 57 52; email: r.smeets@unesco.org. To Ministers responsible for relations with UNESCO
CL/3698 page 2 Following technical and scientific evaluation by experts from specialized NGOs, the International Jury will examine the files in accordance with the procedure established for that purpose and recommend to me a list of candidatures, upon which I shall for the third time proclaim Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration. Enclosure: 1 Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General cc: National Commissions for UNESCO Permanent Delegations to UNESCO
THIRD PROCLAMATION OF MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY (July 2005) Addendum to the Guide for the presentation of candidature files ADDENDUM Experience gained from the Second Proclamation has led to a revision of some of the formal aspects of the presentation of candidature files. We should be grateful if you would take these modifications into account when elaborating a candidature file for the Third Proclamation. Content of the candidature file (p. 9): Paragraph 14: Each candidature file, and all the documentation supplied in annex, should be submitted in English or in French in three copies, and should comprise the following five elements: (a) (b) (c) idem; documentation required to evaluate the entry, namely maps, photographs with the corresponding negatives or slides, sound or audiovisual recordings, a video at least two hours in length in VHS format, or any other useful material to illustrate the candidature, together with a letter authorizing the dissemination of all these documents for promotional purposes, indicating the copyright ownership for each document, and an analysis of reference works on the subject and a comprehensive bibliography set out according to common practice in the scientific and academic world; a professional-quality video (digital Betacam, Betacam SP or DV and DVcam), of no more than 10 minutes duration, reflecting the most significant aspects of the candidature file. This will be screened to the members of the jury during their deliberations. This video document should be prepared in strict conformity with the technical card for the preparation of the video shown in Annex IV (see also paragraph 19). Calendar for the Third Proclamation (Annex V) NB: The above points also apply to the Standard Model for Candidature Entry Forms (pages 20-24 of the Guide); a revised version of the form incorporating these modifications is attached herewith (Annex VI).
Guide for the presentation of candidature files ANNEX IV THIRD PROCLAMATION OF MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY Video document of 10 minutes duration to be included in the Proclamation Candidature File and screened to the Proclamation Jury Technical Guidelines Paragraph 14(c) of the Guide for the Presentation of Candidature Files TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Standard: Length: Type of document: Voiceover: Video-making: The video document must be produced exclusively as digital Betacam (Pal), Betacam SP (Pal and NTSC), DV (Pal), or DVcam (Pal) professional or semi-professional standards. 10 minutes maximum. The video document submitted for evaluation to the Jury should be an original document produced purposely for the candidature file. We recommended against presenting an already existing document (e.g. videos for tourism promotion). A voiceover in English or French may be added to the direct sound recording, but it should never be mixed with the direct sound except in the case of a musical manifestation. The aim of the voiceover is to describe the presented cultural expressions and to justify the candidature file according to the selection criteria established in the Guide for the Presentation of Candidature Files (paragraphs 21 and 22). The shooting, editing and post-production of the video should be done by video and film professionals so as to avoid presenting a document of doubtful quality that could compromise the candidature file (e.g. excessive use of zoom, misuse of long/short shots, bad shooting or editing, audio saturation, etc.). CONTENTS OF THE VIDEO The content of the video document should respect the following structure: First part (around five minutes): describe the subject of the candidature file in its salient aspects and show the forms of cultural expression in their social or natural context. If a technical competence needs explaining, the video must show by images the different operating chains which lead to its final production; if an oral competence needs exemplifying, the audiovisual document must show the performances of the social actors and ensure subtitles in French or in English; if a cultural space needs illustrating, explain why and how this temporary or physical space, where popular and traditional cultural
Annex IV page 2 activities are concentrated, it has an exceptional value and it is important in the social context concerned. Second part (around two minutes): explain how the cultural expression of the candidature file is of exceptional value to the concerned community and how they constitute a masterpiece of the creative human genius. This explanation should justify and motivate the Member State s choice of cultural expression proposed in the candidature file. Third part (around one minute): explain why and to what extent the particular cultural expression is in danger of extinction. Indicate, for example, the degree of deterioration, or why there is a loss of interest on the part of the younger generation. Fourth part (around two minutes): expose briefly, but as precisely as possible, the main procedures considered in the plan of action for the safeguarding and the revitalization of the forms of cultural expression, or of the cultural site mentioned in the candidature file.
Guide for the presentation of candidature files ANNEX V THIRD PROCLAMATION OF MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY (2004-2005) Calendar January 2004 Call by the Director-General for the submission of candidatures February-September 2004 Preparatory Assistance 30 September 2004 Latest date for submission of candidature files 1 October-30 November 2004 Administrative evaluation by the Secretariat 1 December 2004-31 April 2005 Scientific and technical evaluation of the candidature files by the NGOs 15 May 2005 Scientific evaluation reports sent to the International Jury July 2005 Meeting of the International Jury July 2005 Third Proclamation by the Director-General ************
Guide for the presentation of candidature files ANNEX VI THIRD PROCLAMATION OF MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY REVISED STANDARD MODEL ENTRY FORM FOR NATIONAL CANDIDATURE Point 14.a of the Guide for the Presentation of Candidature files, modified in accordance with the addendum. The modifications are indicated in bold. Please also incorporate these modifications into the Multinational Standard Model for Candidature Entry Form (pages 22-24 of the Guide). 1. IDENTIFICATION (a) Member State (b) Name of the form of cultural expression or cultural space (c) Name of the community (d) Geographic location of the form of cultural expression or cultural space; location of the community concerned (please attach map) (e) Frequency of this form of cultural expression (f) Persons or organizations responsible in the community/communities or in the government involved (family name, given name, title, postal address, telephone, fax, email address) 2. DESCRIPTION (a) Description of the cultural space or form of cultural expression. Please provide historical details and current information (b) Historical background, development and social, symbolic and cultural functions (c) Technical description, authenticity, style, genre, influential schools and (for material objects) materials, function, method of production and use (d) List of recognized practitioners of the tradition (e) Sustainability and possible risks of disappearance, pressures or constraints due to: Economic or technological developments; Climatic change or pollution; The development of tourism; The increase or decrease in numbers in the community concerned; Other factors.
Annex VI page 2 3. JUSTIFICATION OF THE CANDIDATURE The proposed cultural space or form of cultural expression should demonstrate its outstanding value in accordance with the selection criteria described in points 22 and 23 of the Guide. (a) Outstanding value as a masterpiece of the human creative genius: For the community concerned and for the maintenance of cultural diversity, especially in relation to other expressions within the same culture, the expressions of nearby related cultures and universally; As a specific creation and not simply as a vast field of creation (such as, for example, a general musical creation of an instrument without specifying its specific form, folk songs or dances of a large area without specifying the geographical variations that exist, or a set of non-specified cultural manifestations related to a linguistic area); In the case of forms of cultural expression closely related to languages, which are not eligible for submission as such, the candidature should provide proof that: it is created as an oral expression (is originally oral before being transcribed); the orality of the expression has been maintained to the present and continues to be a defining feature of the expression); the expression is presented as a clearly defined corpus of the orality concerned; the measures proposed in the action plan target the preservation of the orality (oral and intangible dimensions) of the expression; The presentation of the candidature of a corpus of oral texts (oral literature) should be accompanied by a video of its performers, performance and performance contexts so that its artistic attributes manifested in its performance practices, including e.g. modes of expression, vocal techniques, gestures, movement expression and musical accompaniment, if any, can be clearly seen where these are essential components of its modes of communication. (b) Its roots in the cultural tradition or cultural history of the community concerned. (c) Its role as a means of affirming the cultural identity of the peoples and cultural communities concerned, its importance as a source of inspiration and intercultural exchanges and as a means of bringing peoples and communities closer together, and its contemporary cultural and social role in the community concerned, taking into account the fact that cultures are generally in a state of constant transformation and that the cultural manifestation should necessarily play a role in the contemporary life of the community. (d) Excellence in the application of the skill and technical qualities displayed. (e) Its value as a unique testimony of a living cultural tradition. (f) The risk of its disappearing, due either to the lack of means for safeguarding and protecting it or to processes of rapid change, or to urbanization, or to acculturation.
Annex VI page 3 4. MANAGEMENT (a) The organization or body responsible for safeguarding, preserving and revitalizing the form of cultural expression or cultural space (legal status of the organization or body, its recognized national competence, the name and address of the person in charge, sources of funding, etc.). (b) Measures that have already been taken to revitalize the form of cultural expression or cultural space in ways desired by the individuals or communities: Legal measures; Legal protection against the exploitation of the cultural manifestations concerned; Legal or other protection of the practitioners of the technical skill or knowhow; Measures taken to guarantee transmission of the skill or know-how; Others. 5. ACTION PLAN A minimum five-year action plan designed to safeguard, protect, revitalize and disseminate the form of cultural expression or the cultural space must be very carefully targeted and costed to allow implementation and follow-up to continue after that date. It should comprise the following elements: (a) Title of the project; (b) The organization or body responsible for the implementation of the action plan; (c) The detailed description of the involvement of the individuals who are recognized as practitioners of the technical skill or know-how or the communities concerned; (d) The administrative or legal mechanisms for safeguarding the form of cultural expression or the cultural space concerned; (e) The sources and level of funding; (f) The human resources available (their competence and experience) and the opportunities for training in projects related to safeguarding, revitalization and dissemination; (g) A detailed plan: 1. Components of the project; 2. Project schedule (phase I, phase II, ); 3. Agencies implementing the project; 4. History; 5. Justification;
Annex VI page 4 6. Long-term objectives; 7. Short-term objectives; 8. Expected outcomes; 9. Work schedule; 10. Detailed budget. 6. ESSENTIAL ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION The candidature file should be submitted in English or French. It should be accompanied by three copies of each of the following elements, in conformity with points 14.b to 14.e of the Guide and with the Addendum: (a) Documentation necessary for the evaluation of the file: 1. Maps; 2. Photographs with their corresponding negatives or slides (these should be numbered, bear a caption, and indicate the name of the photographer and/or the copyright holder ); 3. A video document (in VHS format), of a minimum duration of two hours, which illustrates thoroughly the cultural expression or space presented; 4. An analysis of reference works on the subject and a comprehensive bibliography set out according to common practice in the academic world; 5. Any other material that may be useful to illustrate the candidature: sound or audiovisual recordings (audiotape, audio CD, video, CD-ROM), booklets, press cuttings, etc. (b) A professional-quality video document (digital Betacam (Pal), Betacam SP (Pal and NTSC), DV (Pal), or DVcam (Pal) professional or semi-professional standards), of no more than 10 minutes duration, reflecting the most significant aspects of the candidature file. This will be screened to the members of the Jury during their deliberations. This video document should be prepared in strict conformity with the technical card for the preparation of the video shown in Annex IV (see also paragraph 19); (c) A letter authorizing the dissemination of all these documents for promotional purposes. A complete list of audiovisual documents and photographs or slides for which authorization has been granted should be attached; the list should be numbered, and a full description and the name of the copyright holder should be indicated for each document; (d) A written document, or a video or audio recording or any other irrefutable proof demonstrating the agreement of the community or individuals concerned with the content of the file.