The term “Intangible Cultural Heritage” (ICH), specifically through its components “intangible” and “heritage” may lead to associations or images of something static from a distant past or space that needs protection. In fact, the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from 2003 seemed to support this notion. Yet, the perception and definition of ICH has changed, for it is less distant or static, but rather ubiquitous in our lives and definitely not static. Some countries, therefore, rather talk of Living Heritage.
Living Heritage, a term preferably used by representatives from African, Asian and Latin-American countries, emphasises the dynamic character of culture and has been given special attention by UNESCO since 2018. Both, ICH and Living Heritage, refer to inherited practices, knowledge and expressions recognized by communities as part of their cultural identity which, at the same time, foster respect for cultural diversity (at the UNESCO Mondiacult in Barcelona in 2025 it was even stated that culture and the arts are important discursive instruments which help to safeguard democracy). Living Heritage includes a variety of phenomena, such as rituals, oral history, popular memories and performances among others, which are connected with agendas and therefore affect people. UNESCO´s idea of safeguarding ICH without “fixing or freezing” is a fundamental part of the concept of Living Heritage which is defined as a dynamic phenomenon in constant development. A closer look at Living Heritage, and specifically music, reveals that it is often the product of a creative transcultural process which, in the wording of Fernando Ortíz, can be called “transculturación”.
On the basis of examples from South America, Africa and Europe the round table will serve as a platform to discuss the transcultural, transtemporal and transconceptual nature of music as Living Heritage and its impact on individuals and communities.
Participation:
Bernhard Bleibinger, Institución Milà y Fontanals de investigación en Humanidades (IMF-CSIC), Barcelona.
Tiago de Oliveira Pinto, Kronberg Academy and UNESCO Chair on Transcultural Music Studies, Kronberg.
Olavo Alen Rodriguez, CIDMuC and Museo de la Musica, La Habana