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A '''Living National Treasure''' or '''Living Human Treasure''' is, according to UNESCO |
A '''Living National Treasure''' or '''Living Human Treasure''' is, according to [[UNESCO]] a person who possess to a high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or re-creating specific elements of the [[intangible cultural heritage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/living-human-treasures|title=Encouraging transmission of ICH : Living Human Treasures - intangible heritage - Culture Sector - UNESCO|work=unesco.org|accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref><ref>http://www.unesco.org/services/documentation/archives/multimedia/?id_page=13</ref> This title or a form of it is awarded by the nation's government to a person who is regarded as a [[national treasure]] while still alive. |
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==History == |
==History == |
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In 1950, the [[ |
In 1950, the [[government of Japan]] began to designate certain individuals or groups who embodied intangible national cultural values as living human treasures. This was supplementary to buildings or places of great cultural and historical value that were designated as national treasures. Living National Treasures thus became eligible for special protection and government support.<ref>{{cite web|first=Patricia|last=Abe|url=http://articles.sfgate.com/1999-05-30/books/17688560_1_living-treasures-art-works-authors|title=Treasures of Japan – Its Living Artists|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=May 30, 1999 |accessdate=February 5, 2011}}</ref> Some of the ancient protected crafts initially were [[pottery]], [[music]], [[handmade paper]], [[doll]]s, and [[swordmaking]], but have been expanded to also include song, dance, cuisine, and other categories. |
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Several countries have followed suit with their own official programmes of recognition for intangible cultural values and the people who embody them, including [[France]], [[Philippines]], [[Romania]], [[South Korea]] and [[Thailand]]{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romania-insider.com/former-furrier-to-the-romanian-royalty-named-living-human-treasure-by-unesco/|title=Former furrier to the Romanian royalty named 'living human treasure' by UNESCO - Romania Insider|first=Romania|last=Insider|date=30 November 2012|work=romania-insider.com|accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref> |
Several countries have followed suit with their own official programmes of recognition for intangible cultural values and the people who embody them, including [[France]], [[Philippines]], [[Romania]], [[South Korea]] and [[Thailand]]{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romania-insider.com/former-furrier-to-the-romanian-royalty-named-living-human-treasure-by-unesco/|title=Former furrier to the Romanian royalty named 'living human treasure' by UNESCO - Romania Insider|first=Romania|last=Insider|date=30 November 2012|work=romania-insider.com|accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref> |
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Through its [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]] section, |
In 1993, the [[government of South Korea]] proposed to the UNESCO Executive Board the establishment of a codified “Living Human Treasures” program for all member states. The board adopted a decision and invited member states to establish and promote such national systems. Through its [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]] section, UNESCO introduced definitions and guidelines for supporting such national living human treasure programmes.<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/doc/src/00031-EN.pdf "Guidelines for the Establishment of National 'Living Human Treasures' Systems"], UNESCO, undated</ref> |
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== Definitions == |
== Definitions == |
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ALiving National TreasureorLiving Human Treasure is, according to UNESCO a person who possess to a high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or re-creating specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage.[1][2] This title or a form of it is awarded by the nation's government to a person who is regarded as a national treasure while still alive.
In 1950, the government of Japan began to designate certain individuals or groups who embodied intangible national cultural values as living human treasures. This was supplementary to buildings or places of great cultural and historical value that were designated as national treasures. Living National Treasures thus became eligible for special protection and government support.[3] Some of the ancient protected crafts initially were pottery, music, handmade paper, dolls, and swordmaking, but have been expanded to also include song, dance, cuisine, and other categories.
Several countries have followed suit with their own official programmes of recognition for intangible cultural values and the people who embody them, including France, Philippines, Romania, South Korea and Thailand[citation needed].[4]
In 1993, the government of South Korea proposed to the UNESCO Executive Board the establishment of a codified “Living Human Treasures” program for all member states. The board adopted a decision and invited member states to establish and promote such national systems. Through its Intangible Cultural Heritage section, UNESCO introduced definitions and guidelines for supporting such national living human treasure programmes.[5]
The member states at the 32nd UNESCO General Conference in October 2003 agreed to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The definitions of what a Living Human Treasure constitute are:[6]
(i) Living Human Treasures are persons who possess to a very high degree the knowledge and skills required for performing or re‐creating specific elements of the intangible cultural heritage. Each Member State should choose an appropriate title to designate the bearers of knowledge and skills, the title of “Living Human Treasures” proposed by UNESCO being indicative. Among the systems in existence, there are already a variety of titles: Master of Art (France), Bearer of Popular Craft Tradition (Czech Republic), National Living Treasure (Republic of Korea), Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Japan and Republic of Korea).
(ii) Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, consists of practices and expressions, as well as the knowledge, skills and values associated therewith, that communities and groups recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This heritage is transmitted from generation to generation, for the most part orally. It is constantly recreated in response to changes in the social and cultural environment. It provides individuals, groups and communities with a sense of identity and continuity and constitutes a guarantee of sustainable development.
(iii) “Intangible cultural heritage” is manifested inter alia in the following domains, on the understanding that the expressions of intangible cultural heritage can simultaneously belong to several of these domains:
“ (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
performing arts;
social practices, rituals and festive events;
knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
traditional craftsmanship.” (Article 2.2 of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage).
(iv) Safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage means: “measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the intangible cultural heritage, including the identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission through formal and non‐formal education, as well as the revitalization of the various aspects of such heritage.” (Article 2.3)
Despite its name the National Living Treasure (Australia) primarily lists politicians, business people, sports persons, social commentators and activists, or artists of modern culture, who were voted into that list, and therefore does not fulfill the criteria of intangible cultural heritage. Australia is not a state party to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.[7]
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