Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

This book presents a detailed analysis of the different approaches and measures for implementing the requirements of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (the Convention) and a practical interpretation of that treaty, based on the experience of States’ Parties and other primary actors. The book considers the interests of multiple stakeholders and takes account of how the Convention interacts with other international law regimes pertaining to both human rights and sustainable development.Key Features:Provides clear and concise information of the definition, scope and significance of intangible cultural heritageUtilises a wide-range of case studies to illustrate the application of the Convention on the ground.Considers the position of multiple stakeholders including national heritage organisations and non-state actorsOutlines practical strategies and solutions for protecting and promoting cultural heritage and looks ahead to potential future developments in this field.Easy to follow structure, mapping out the treaty’s provisions thematically and highlighting their practical applicationProviding accessible and focused analysis, this book will be essential reading for lawyers and practitioners involved in the protection of intangible cultural heritage from both governmental and non-governmental institutions. The book will also be a valuable resource to academics and researchers working across various disciplines including law, heritage, and anthropology.

‘In this definitive mapping of safeguards for intangible cultural heritage, primarily under the eponymous UNESCO Convention of 2003, Professor Blake resets the compass away from a reliance primarily on state-initiated listings of disparate items and toward a more functional regime defined by communities, groups and individuals. Human rights and sustainable development form the guardrails.’, ‘A preeminent authority on the 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage, Professor Janet Blake was instrumental in its drafting and remains a key player in its implementation. This thoughtful and thorough exploration of this important instrument will no doubt facilitate its understanding and application by practitioners and scholars alike.’

Janet Blake, Department of Human Rights Law, University of Shahid Beheshti, Iran