Intangible cultural heritage refers to the cultural traditions, expressions, and practices that are passed down from generation to generation, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and festive events.

The three main domains of intangible cultural heritage are oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, and social practices, rituals, and festive events.

Intangible cultural heritage plays a vital role in a community by providing a sense of identity and belonging, promoting social cohesion and solidarity, and contributing to the transmission of knowledge and skills.

Intangible cultural heritage is not static but rather evolves over time in response to new circumstances, such as changes in the environment, technology, and social values.

The evolution of intangible cultural heritage is influenced by a variety of factors, including migration and cultural exchange, technological advancements, and changes in the environment.

Intangible cultural heritage can be safeguarded by documenting and recording it, promoting its transmission to future generations, and providing financial and technical support to communities that practice it.

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is important because it helps to preserve cultural diversity, promote cultural understanding and dialogue, and contribute to sustainable development.

Intangible cultural heritage includes a wide range of expressions, including oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and festive events.

Intangible cultural heritage can be transmitted to future generations through oral tradition, written records, performances and demonstrations, and other means.

Intangible cultural heritage faces a number of challenges, including globalization and homogenization of culture, rapid social and economic change, natural disasters and conflicts, and others.

UNESCO plays a vital role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage by maintaining a list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, providing financial and technical assistance to communities that practice intangible cultural heritage, and promoting international cooperation for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by UNESCO in 2003 that aims to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.

As of 2023, over 150 countries have ratified the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Communities play a vital role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage as they are the bearers and practitioners of intangible cultural heritage, they have the primary responsibility for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and they should be involved in all aspects of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Intangible cultural heritage contributes to social cohesion and resilience, promotes cultural diversity and dialogue, supports economic development, and contributes to sustainable development in other ways.