The Estonian inventory of intangible cultural heritage Kristiina Porila Intangible Cultural Heritage Specialist Estonian Folk Culture Centre The Identification and Inventorying of Intangible Cultural Heritage as a Powerful Factor of its Safeguarding Capacity-building seminar in Minsk, Belarus, March 2013

ESTONIA Surface km million inhabitants Ethnic groups Estonians (69.0%) Russians (25.5%) Ukrainians (2.0%) Belorussians (1.1%) Finns (0.8%) Official language Estonian

ESTONIA Since 2006: State party to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage Two ICH specialists hired at the Folk Culture Centre

Estonian inventory of intangible cultural heritage online at maintained by the Folk Culture Centre opened in 2010 in Estonian ICH in Estonia: Do you know how to drive on an ice road?

Structure of the inventory: 4 types of entries 1) Elements of ICH (the main entry) 2) Practitioners3) Organisations 4) Places and regions

4 types of entries doing woollen handicrafts in Karula region Related entries practitioners: Olivia Till organisations NPO Maavillane places and regions Vana Võromaa region The main entry: an element of ICH

The inventory is not just a list short textsaudiovisual materials current social and cultural functions of the element current activities of practitioners and organisations sustainability of the element historical background We want to show – the essence of every element its place in peoples’ lives at present All entries should include

important for the community corresponds to the defintion of ICH living heritage transmitted from generation to generation The main entry: an element of ICH – criteria? Council of experts approves before publishing (formality)

all communities who live in Estonia “ordinary” or “special” widespread or specific the age is not relevant The main entry: an element of ICH – criteria? Everyone has ICH!

It does not build on existing databases – to focus on living heritage – to ensure community participation – serving the interests of local communities A new inventory – the difficult way Cutting a cross for a deceased relative A traditional medicine

an inventory based on community initiative community representatives compile the entries and decide – if their ICH should be on the inventory – which elements should be there – how to present them A bottom-up approach The Folk Culture Centre helps and encourages also a source of problems

the inventory needs time to evolve the circle of communities widens step by step the first communities are a positive role model the inventory is a way of activating communities Evolving step by step A seminar about local food Discussions about the singing tradition of the Seto

Mostly ICH of local communities, examples of ICH that – is especially important for the community – has been safeguarded effectively – is in the process of revitalisation What is on the inventory? Making beer for the family Eating and making traditional food

time consuming officials tend to prefer fast and clearly measurable results the effect is yet to be seen Drawbacks

Thank you for listening