Introduction
While safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH) begins at the local level, national governments play a central rolein providing the legal, institutional, and financial frameworks that ensure protection across the country. States that ratified the UNESCO 2003 Convention are obliged to design policies, maintain inventories, and support safeguarding measures for both tangible and intangible heritage.
At the national level, safeguarding is no longer only about local customs but about building a coordinated system: connecting communities, municipalities, ministries, and cultural institutes.
Core responsibilities of national authorities
- Legal framework: passing laws that define and protect ICH.
- National inventories: identifying and recording traditions across regions.
- Institutional structures: ministries of culture, heritage institutes, national commissions for UNESCO.
- Funding mechanisms: grants for research, festivals, apprenticeships, crafts.
- Capacity building: training heritage professionals, educators, and cultural managers.
- National awareness campaigns: media, school curricula, cultural programs.
The national level therefore acts as a bridge between international policies (UNESCO, EU) and community-level practice.
Case studies
- Romania:
- Established a National Inventory of ICH following the 2003 Convention.
- Practices like Colindatul de ceată bărbătească and Doina were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List.
- Cultural institutes and universities conduct research and documentation projects.
- France:
- National system of “Living Human Treasures” recognizes individuals with outstanding skills in traditional crafts and arts.
- Japan (pioneer, even before UNESCO 2003):
- Legal system for “Important Intangible Cultural Properties” and designation of “Living National Treasures.”
These examples show how national policies give visibility, recognition, and resources to traditions that may otherwise remain local.
Application – Student activity
Task:
- Select one example of ICH inscribed in your country’s national inventory.
- Research how it was identified, documented, and promoted at the national level.
- Discuss in groups:
- What role did the state play?
- What role did local communities play?
- Was cooperation balanced, or dominated by one side?
Reflection questions
- Why is a national inventory important for safeguarding ICH?
- Can a top-down national policy risk overshadowing community voices?
- Should states focus more on protecting endangered practices or on promoting those that are already strong?
- In your opinion, what would be the most effective way to connect local, regional, and national safeguarding efforts?