The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is organizing its fourth Intangible Cultural Heritage Forum, which will be held on for two days Tuesday and Wednesday, 20TH – 21ST of September 2022 at the Flexible Theater in the Bahrain National Theater from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. This fourth installment will highlight four elements of intangible heritage: Al-Murada, Wedding Festivities, Traditional Music (Al-Sut) and Children Festivities.
The forum will address a number of topics including the importance of preserving and protecting intangible cultural heritage through enhancing interaction with the public regarding cultural heritage in general.
Among the most prominent objectives for the Fourth Forum is to highlight the role of intangible cultural heritage in our Bahraini society, enrich scientific research regarding cultural heritage in accordance with definitions and obligations mentioned in the UNESCO Convention of 2003, and promote projects undertaken by the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities and its efforts to preserve the continuity of the intangible heritage.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible cultural heritage is defined as the set of practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities and groups adopt for self-expression, and thus takes on the distinct characteristics of people belonging to a particular culture. In addition, people form a deep-rooted cultural identity stemming from their heritage’s long history that specialists in cultural affairs can analyze through social practices, traditional ceremonies, rituals and oral traditions, as well as other cultural considerations.
2003 Convention on the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Given the importance of intangible cultural heritage as a factor supporting cultural diversity, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the first international document in 2003, establishing a legal, administrative and financial framework for the preservation and respect of this heritage, as well as awareness of its importance in achieving rapprochement and exchange between human societies.
The 2003 Convention aims to safeguard intangible cultural heritage in line with other international agreements in support of sustainable development and mutual respect among human societies. At the national level, the Convention calls for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present on the territory of the State Party to the Convention.
Note: The Forum will be held in Arabic.
