Why choose Caribbean countries for this project? The cultural reality of the Caribbean is rich and diverse. Besides the autochthonous indigenous past and present, the European and African cultures contribute in diverse grades and forms to generate this multicultural region. The more recent migrations of Chinese and Arabs diversify still more the culture richness of the area. The Caribbean@Wikipedia.org The original populations used creatively the natural resources producing interesting results in a variety of areas such as crafts and agricultural techniques, medicine preparations and culinary uses, organization of its communities and construction of houses. The biological, ethnical and geographical diversity and the harmony of its populations were aspects that also called the attention of the Europeans that arrived in this region. The four countries selected for this project (Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Aruba) have distinct social and cultural characteristics, languages, historical colonial backgrounds from Spain, France, and the Netherlands, populations that vary from 11 million to 110,000 inhabitants and speak Spanish, French, Creole, Papiamento and Dutch and a varied economic development. Santo Domingo Colonial City@ UNESCO These islands have in common an indigenous population almost extinct, a plantation economy that demanded large quantities of African slaves that made an important imprint in the current cultural expressions, warm climate and excellent beaches that are a significant attraction for tourism. A brief description of each of the 4 beneficiary countries shows their strengths and weaknesses in regard to the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.
What are the strengths and weaknessess in the Dominican Republic? With a rich cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, its cultural institutions have worked previously in safeguarding its ICH expressions producing partial inventories, identifying some of its cultural expressions and training specialists but the majority of these activities have not been in line with the Convention s concepts (especially regarding the participation of the communities in inventorying, proposals for the Lists, etc). The Dominican Republic A clear conscience of the importance of the intangible heritage and its safeguarding, the need to sensitize the population and the inclusion of young people, local epresentatives and NGOs is still a necessity. The economic development of Dominican Capital Santo Domingo Republic, based primarily in a growing Official language Spanish touristic industry that creates jobs and Population 9,445,281 generate incomes, has also a tendency to modify cultural traditions, as they are sometimes adaptedd to the preferences of the tourists. The continuous rural- urban migrations, change perspectives and affect the communities influencing the safeguarding of cultural traditions and expressions. These factors endanger the intangible heritage but are not clearly understood, as well as the local development and risks from tourism. The Constitutionn of the Dominican Republic establishes that artistic and historic riches of the country are under the protection of the State. The 1968 Law classifies cultural heritage in 4 categories: monumental, artistic, documentary and folkloric. At the creation of the State Secretary of Culture, later Ministry of Culture, cultural heritage was defined as cultural goods, values and symbols both tangible and intangible as expression of the Dominican traditions, mores and habits. The Dominican Republic has a group of national institutions in charge of cultural heritage at the Ministry of Culture: the Departments of Museums, Archives and Libraries, the General Archives of the Nation, the Center for Cultural Los Congos Inventories de Villa Mella @Ministerio responsib Turile smo for
inventorying and advise to governmental institutions of culture in the implementation of their respective inventories. The Museum of Dominican Man is in charge of anthropological, ethnological and pre-columbian archeology research and the Dominican Institute of Folklore has as objective the revalorization of folklore and popular culture. Though the terminology used is not in line with the Convention, these institutions have collected the manifestations of Dominican intangible cultural heritage, carried out research and have raised some awareness about Dominican ICH. However, the different institutions involved do not work jointly and their inventories (collections) do not respond to the definition of ICH provided by the Convention since 2003. There is a strong focus on products and research from the past, rather than on processes of transmission of ICH. Los Congos de Villa Mella @UNESCO Museum of Dominican Man @Ministerio Turismo Additionally a National Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was created by the Ministry of Culture but still lacks clear functions, responsibilities, authority and material conditions for working. Its members were nominated by the Ministry taking into account their previous work and interests in intangible heritage, but nor NGOs nor representatives from the communities are represented in it. Thus, the need to strengthen the country s national capacities in intangible heritage has determined in the last years the organization of several training and policy advice activities by the UNESCO/Havana Office such as meetings with the national committee for the safeguarding of the intangible heritage, with the Dominican National Commission as well as the Ministry of Culture. Also, with students and professors of the national university explaining the Convention and its implementation. One of the Dominican experts in intangible heritage was selected by UNESCO as trainer for this project and in such capacity participated at the UNESCO Workshop Training for Trainers held in Havana (March 2011). Larimar Crafts@Isacris
Several meetings with the Committee and participation in the community meetings have allowed the Havana Office to obtain information about problems faced by the communities of the Cocolos and Congos (both elements were declared Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage in 2008), it s possible solutions as well as the possibility of making clear the erroneous decisions by the community of the Congos, its internal frictions and to understand the socioeconomic situation of the Cocolos. The problematic experience with the implementation and action plans of the two Masterpieces declared by UNESCO (Congos and Cocolos) has shown that the intervention in the communities created more problems than benefits due to the lack of a correct guidance. The strengthening of institutional capacities and management structures that coordinate adequately with the communities and bearers and the participation of young people, NGO s as well as public knowledge about the Convention will ensure its implementation Los Cocolos@UNESCO The Ministry of Culture has not proposed any other inscriptions for the Lists nor presented requests for safeguarding and/or inventorying activities to be financed by the ICH Fund. A training workshop on the implementation of the Convention is planned to take place at the beginning of 2013 to strengthen capacities of representatives of governmental institutions, of communities and of representatives from specialized NGOs. The implementation partners will be the Vice-Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the National Commission for UNESCO. The Workshop will be for 20-25 participants from different regions of the country, and will include specialists, community members, young people, governmental officials, and members of the National Committee for the Safeguarding of
ICH. Two experts from Colombia and the Dominican Republic trained by UNESCO, will work as facilitators As ICH community-based inventorying has not been addressed accordingly to the Convention as a safeguarding measure, a Workshop on Inventorying will take place in June-July 2013 with the participation of representatives of cultural institutions, community members and bearers. The workshop will be followed by a Field work exercise in a selected community and will be supervised by two facilitators from Venezuela and Mexico also trained by UNESCO. Equipment for inventorying will be available for both the national institution in charge of ICH and the community that will participate in the inventorying. Crafts Dominican Rep. @capacity.blogspot Representatives from Dominican governmental and non-governmental institutions will also participate at the Cluster Workshop to be held with representatives from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Aruba in October 2013 at Havana. This Workshop will focus in the Nomination process for the Urgent List for Safeguarding, the Representative List and the Registry of Good Practices.
What are the strengths and weaknessess in regard to the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage of Cuba? Republic of Cuba The country, largest in terms of territory and population, also bases an important part of its economy on the touristic industry, the development of services and sectors for its growth development in oil and and industrial mining. Even though tourism is an important source for the development of the country, the presence of millions of tourists have had economical gains but also negative impacts on the population which tends to modify traditions to the needs of the tourists. At the same time, the country is in a process of reform aimed at supporting development at local level. Cuba has had Capital La Habana strong and centralized cultural institutions Official language Spanish with limited links with the communities, Population 11,,241,161 but the current process of decentralizationn needs training aimed at increasing capacities and promoting the role and full participation of civil society. Cuba includes in its Constitution the responsibility of the State for the protection, promotion and safeguarding of the cultural heritage. Several national cultural institutions attend different aspects of intangible heritage and implement projects related to promotion and research of music, oral literature, crafts, festivities, etc. and a recent Law established the responsibility of the National Council for Cultural Heritage for both the protection and safeguarding of the tangible and intangible heritage. Tumba Francesa@UNESCO The National Commission for Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage - a formal structure created by the Ministry of Culture and presided by the National Council for Cultural Heritage - include representatives from several national institutions and NGOs. But as proposals of Nominations and Inventories have shown a limited comprehension of the Convention, the Regional
Office has offered policy advice to the National Commission for ICH and the NATCOM, has given conferences to experts and community members on implementation of the Convention, offered training for several of the functionaries of the National Council and invited two of its specialists to participate as observers at the UNESCO Workshop Training for Trainers held in Havana (March 2011). Tumba Francesa@UNESCO Cuba has worked during several years at the inventorying of intangible cultural expressions (without the definitions established in the 2003 Convention). For example, the Atlas of Popular Culture -through the works of important experts- collected several years ago national information on music, dances, festivities, oral expressions and crafts. That is why a number of institutions and experts have obtained professional experience and knowledge of the intangible heritage in the country. The planned Workshop for Cuba, organized with the National Council for Cultural Heritage will be focused on Inventorying and the key role of community will be clearly demonstrated, so the National Commission for ICH, governmental and non governmental institutions and several communities will benefit from an ample knowledge of the 2003 Convention, its implementation, especially in inventorying. The Workshop will be for 20-25 participants from different provinces of the country, and will include specialists, community members, governmental officials, and members of the National Commission for the Safeguarding of the ICH. Two facilitators from Venezuela and Mexico trained by UNESCO will be the Workshop s trainers. Cuba Award of Excellence@UNESCO As a follow-up of the INV Workshop, an Inventorying Field Work Exercise will take place in a relatively small community and will offer a real hands-on-experience on the role of communities in inventorying.
The Exercise will include 10-15 participants that will work with the community member s involvement and participation. The exercise will be for 7 days, and facilitators will guide the field work. These participants will later reproduce and disseminate the acquired knowledge in their provinces of origin. Equipment for inventorying will be available for both the national institution in charge of ICH and the community that will participate in the inventorying. Cuban repentismo @cubaaladecima Also, Cuba will benefit from the participation of several representatives of cultural institutions in charge of preparing nominations and requests of international cooperation at the Cluster Workshop focused on Nominations to be held in 2013 which will guarantee training in international cooperation mechanisms.
What are the strengths and weaknesses in regard to the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage of Haiti? Under a state of emergency and the devastation from which the country is now recovering, culture remains an essential resource for the Haitian people. It is a driving force that gathers and builds, one the Haitian people know how to use. Colorful and lively traditions, vibrant arts and craft sectors are witness to how much the culture sector is alive and part of Haitian life. Cultural heritage continues to provide relief and a way to escape from daily realities. For millions of displaced people and disrupted communities and families, cultural events, such as the annual carnival, are a genuine moment of joy with music, dance, celebration, costumes, masks reflecting Haiti s rich cultural traditions and crafts. Republic of Haiti Capital Port au Prince Official languages French Haitian Creole Population 9,719,932 But these important intangible traditions with strong roots in the people were affected by the earthquake, especially traditional craftsmanshift. UNESCO responded immediately working with the authorities and local communities to ensure the continuity and revitalization of cultural life, laying the foundations for a participatory process that is essential for the country.
Citadela@fundafranciochanel Several projects related to intangible heritage were prepared (without funding still). In Jacmel, one of the main centers for craft production in the country, two projects: Crafts for Development based on the importance of crafts for Haiti economy and of cultural heritage and Fostering Creativity through Arts, to offer the youth of Jacmel area opportunities to develop their artistic talents and to participate in cultural life In Leogane, known as center of voodoo traditions, including Rara also two projects were prepared: Inventory of the Intangible Heritage in Leogane to support the implementation of the 2003 Convention through drawing of inventories and identifying the endangered intangible cultural heritage Safeguarding the Rara tradition to revitalize through educational and promotional activities the uninterrupted practice of the unique cultural expression of the Rara music tradition
Rara Haiti Award of Excellence@UNESCO At a governmental level, Haitian institutions are still weak. So, the strengthening of institutional capacities for the implementation of the 2003 Convention is a must at national and provincial levels. Also at a community level, the people still living in those areas (including Port au-prince) have been struggling to keep their communities together and their traditions alive. Thus training workshops aimed at capacity building of institutions, experts and communities will be prioritized. But there are a number of non-governmental organizations, specialists and experts that have expressed interest in developing and implementing intangible heritage safeguarding activities. Tap tap original bus in Haiti@worldpress
Voudu Haiti@Wordpress These counterparts must be identified to carry on this project so a preparatory and policy advice mission carried out by one of the facilitators trained by UNESCO- will be implemented at the beginning of 2013. A Workshop focused on the Implementation of the Convention will be held two months later in 2013. This mission will allow policy advice activities with the cultural officials in preparation for the Workshop and a previous knowledge of the Convention. The Workshop will include 20-25 participants, such as cultural officials, specialists from diverse organizations and members of the Community. Two facilitators one from Peru and the other from Mexico- will be the trainers of the Workshop. The participation of several Haitian representatives at the Cluster Workshop on Nominations offered by two facilitators from Peru and Colombia to be held in Havana in October 2013 will guarantee these experts training in preparation of Nominations to the ICH Lists as well as international cooperation mechanisms. Craft Haiti @haitipor descubrir
What are the strengths and weaknessess in regard to the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage of Aruba? While Aruba, a state part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and an Associated Member of UNESCO, is fully autonomous in the field of culture, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is responsible for its international relations. The Netherlands deposited instrument the of ratification of the Convention in April 2012, and will thus start implementing it in all territories of the Kingdom. As Aruba depends on expertise in the field of culture at the international level from the Netherlands, the local knowledge about international procedures, such as those established under the UNESCO conventions, is very limited. Aruba Capital Oranjestad Official languages Dutch Papiamento Population 101,484 Dande Aruba@Visitaa Aruba.com This small Caribbean island depends basically on tourism which has allowed for a high socioeconomic level for its population but has disrupted almost completely the cultural expressions of the country. As changes and development as a consequenc ce of tourism interventions, including important migrations from other countries, have not taken into account the community traditions, the loss of cultural expressions has determined a limited conscience of the importance of traditions and at the same time a sensee of loss of their identity. Proportion between local population and tourists is overwhelming in favor of the tourists. One of the country s particularities is the multilingual capacity of its people. Papiamento and Dutch are the official languages, while Spanish and English are widely spoken. Papiamento is a main identity factor of Arubans, Dare GaiAruba@Visitaa Aruba.com and a vector of intangible heritage. However, its use is under pressure by the increasing presence of Spanish as a communication tool and as a transmitter of Latin American culture. The need for the ratification of the 2003 Convention is important, as well as the urgency to safeguard immediately the cultural expressions at risk. The capacity
building of the cultural institutions and the training of specialists will be prioritized as well as assistance to promote in the Netherlands the need to support the implementation of the Convention on Aruba and other Dutch Antilles islands. Carnaval Aruba@Visita Aruba.com As the country is very small, the Aruban counterparts have already been identified in a previous mission made by the Regional Office destined to inform the cultural authorities and the NATCOM about the Convention. Considering the interest of other speaking states and territories and the intention of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to establish a coordinated implementation program of the ICH Convention, the Office intends to invite participants from different states and territories in the training activities in ICH. A policy advice and preparatory mission of two days will be organized in October 2012 by a staff member for the coordination with Aruba and other states and territories for the preparation of a Workshop focused on the implementation of the 2003 Convention. The preparatory mission will focus on the benefits of having ratified the Convention, and provide policy advice to Aruban cultural officials for the definition of their special needs when implementing the Convention and the preparation of the Workshop. This Workshop on the Implementation of the Convention will take place in Oranjestad (Aruba) in April 2013. The participants will be 20 to 25 experts and representatives from cultural and touristic institutions, NGOs, and communities from the Dutch speaking states and territories. Facilitators from Brazil and Honduras will offer the training. The participation of several Aruban representatives at a Cluster Workshop on Nominations in October 2013 will guarantee them training in preparation of Nominations and international cooperation mechanisms.