Intangible Heritage Committee meeting in Ethiopia

November 18, 2016

UNESCO Media Advisory No.2016-37

Intangible Heritage Committee meeting in Ethiopia to focus on traditional songs, rituals, celebrations and know-how

Paris, 17 November–The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will meet from 28 November to 2 December in Addis-Abeba under the chair of Yonas Desta Tsegaye, Director General of Ethipia’s Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

The representatives of 24 States Parties to UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage who form the Committee will examine five nominations for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 37 requests for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The committee will also examine issues concerning intangible heritage in emergency situations caused by conflict or natural disaster. It will envisage safeguarding measures that can be applied in such cases and consider the role intangible heritage can play in restoring social cohesion and supporting reconciliation.

Ten years after the Convention entered into force, the Committee will examine creation of a monitoring instrument to measure its impact and progress achieved.

The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding currently features 43 particularly vulnerable elements of the living heritage. It helps States Parties to the Convention rally international cooperation and assistance to ensure the transmission of these cultural practices with the agreement of the communities concerned. The following elements will be examined:

• Botswana: The use of Moropa wa Bojale ba Bakgatla ba Kgafela and its associated practices
• Cambodge: Chapei Dang Veng
• Portugal: Bisalhães black pottery manufacturing process
• Uganda: Ma’di bowl lyre music and dance
• Ukraine: Cossack’s songs of Dnipropetrovsk Region

The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanitypresently number 336 inscribed elements. It aims to enhance the visibility of communities’ traditions and knowledge without recognizing standards of excellence or exclusivity.

The nominations for 2016 for the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity are:

• Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan: Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navruz [traditional celebration of the New Year and the start of spring]
• Azerbaijan, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey: Flatbread making and sharing culture: Lavash, Katryma, Jupka, Yufka
• Bangladesh: Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh
• Belarus: Celebration in honour of the Budslaŭ icon of Our Lady (Budslaŭ Fest)
• Belgium: Beer culture in Belgium
• China: The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun’s annual motion
• Cuba: Rumba in Cuba, a festive combination of music and dances and all the practices associated
• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Ssirum (wrestling) in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
• Dominican Republic: Music and dance of the merengue in the Dominican Republic
• Egypt: Tahteeb, stick game
• Ethiopia: Gada system, an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo
• France: Carnival of Granville
• Georgia: Living culture of three writing systems of the Georgian alphabet
• Germany: Idea and practice of organizing shared interests in cooperatives
• Greece: Momoeria, New Year’s celebration in eight villages of Kozani area, West Macedonia, Greece
• India: Yoga
• Iraq: Khidr Elias feast and its vows
• Japan: Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan
• Kazakhstan: Kuresi in Kazakhstan
• Mauritius: Bhojpuri folk songs in Mauritius, Geet-Gawai
• Mexico: Charrería, equestrian tradition in Mexico
• Nigeria: Argungu international fishing and cultural festival
• Republic of Korea: Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers)
• Romania, Republic of Moldova: Traditional wall-carpet craftsmanship in Romania and the Republic of Moldova
• Romania: Whitsunday pilgrimage from Şumuleu Ciuc (Csíksomlyó)
• Saudi Arabia: Almezmar, drumming and dancing with sticks
• Slovakia, Czechia: Puppetry in Slovakia and Czechia
• Slovenia: Škofja Loka Passion Play
• Spain: Valencia Fallas festivity
• Sri Lanka: Traditional art of string puppetry in Sri Lanka
• Switzerland: Winegrowers’ Festival in Vevey
• Tajikistan: Oshi Palav, a traditional meal and its social and cultural contexts in Tajikistan
• Turkey: Traditional craftsmanship of Çini-making
• United Arab Emirates, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic: Falconry, a living human heritage
• Uzbekistan: Palov culture and tradition
• Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of): Carnival of El Callao, a festive representation of a memory and cultural identity
• Viet Nam: Practices related to the Viet beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms

The Committee will furthermore review seven programmes proposed for inclusion on the Register of Best Safeguarding Practices. Twelve elements are already featured on the Register, which seeks to promote programmes, projects and activities that reflect optimally the Convention’s principles and objectives. The proposed entries to the Register are:

• Argentina: The Randas of time, a safeguarding model of textile art at El Cercado
• Austria: Regional Centres for Craftsmanship: a strategy for safeguarding the cultural heritage of traditional handicraft
• Bulgaria: Festival of folklore in Koprivshtitsa: a system of practices for heritage presentation and transmission
• Croatia: Community project of safeguarding the living culture of Rovinj/Rovigno: the Batana Ecomuseum
• Fiji: Cultural mapping, methodology for the safeguarding of iTaukei intangible cultural heritage
• Hungary: Safeguarding of the folk music heritage by the Kodály concept
• Norway: Oselvar boat – reframing a traditional learning process of building and use to a modern context

UNESCO’s2013 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has been ratified by 171 States Parties to date. Its Intergovernmental Committee meets annually to implement the Convention and examine requests for inscription on its various lists. The 11th session, which will take place in Ethiopia, is being held in Africa in following Algiers (2006), Nairobi (2010), et Windhoek (2015).

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The meeting will take place at the Conference Centre of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis-Abeba (Room I).

Journalists wishing to cover the meeting should register online:http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/registration-00884

The meeting will be webcast: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/

More about the meeting: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/11com

On 27 November, nongovernmental organizations working on intangible heritage will come together in a Forum, see:http://www.ichngoforum.org

Media Contact: Lucía Iglesias Kuntz l.iglesias@unesco.org, +33 (0) 145 68 17 02 ; +33 (0) 6 80 24 07 29

Follow the meeting on Twitter: @unesco, #IntangibleHeritage

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LET’S PEDAL — National Cycling Expedition 2016

November 18, 2016

LET’S PEDAL — National Cycling Expedition 2016 (From Konark to Delhi – 17th – 31st December) and 2nd Konark International Cyclothon (Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark on December 17th, 2016). As a curtain raiser to this mega event, CRESPAI along with ROOTS OF ORISSA FOUNDATION is organising a a promotional drive on November 19th (Saturday) to create awareness about the health risks associated with Air pollution in the Delhi/NCR region, considering the present alarming pollution level in the national capital.

The armless paracyclist Mr. Jagwinder Singh is here to support this cause today and tomorrow (November 18th & 19th) along with other patrons from sports achievers to Corporate heads, NGOs, Academicians, Environmentalists etc. Other renowned names who would be participating in this Let’s Pedal Cycling Expedition 2016 are Minister of State for Finance and ex-IAS officer Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Indian Sprinter Ms. Dutee Chand, Mr. Sudhir Kumar Dash CA and Qualified Lawyer, Social Philanthropist, former educationist, entrepreneur, a renowned industrial consultant,  founder trustee of the Roots of Odisha Foundation and Executive member of SELAR (Society for Ethical, Legal Action and Reforms) and CRESPAI (Confederation of Renewable Energy Service Providers Association of India).

Please find attached the press invite for your reference.

Do let us know if you need additional details.

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13th Jashne Bachpan

November 18, 2016

13th Jashne Bachpan at National School of Drama on 18th November, 2016 for your reference.

1. Lal Paan ki Begum (fresh pics attached)
2. Basanta Eshe Gyachhe (file pics attached)

Lal Paan ki Begum

Director: Javed Ibrahim

Group: Raft Theatre, Delhi

Language: Hindi

Duration: 50 mins

About the Group

Raft was established in 2004 to promote theatre in villages, raise social issues and bring to the audience different life-situations and facts. To fulfil these, social problems have been put forth through street plays. So far Population, Education, Unemployment, Environment, Girl Child and Unity-in-Diversity have been the main topics. Workshops and skits have been organised in backward areas as well. The group has given many stage performances including Idgah, Dhoop ka Ek Tukda, Chekov Ki Kahaniyan, Court Martial, Lal Paan Ki Begum etc.

About the Play

Lal Paan ki Begum is one of the most popular stories by Phanishwar Nath Renu. It represents the frustration of someone whose behaviour is dependent on the fulfilment of his/her desires. Birju’s mother wants to go and watch ‘Balrampur ka naach’ but her husband doesn’t return home in time to take her. She beats up her kids and goats, and fights with every woman she meets in the village. Seeing her husband returning in the bullock-cart she calms down and her behaviour changes into that of queen. She takes the women of the village along with her, especially those she had fought with, for the ‘naach’. On reaching Balrampur everyone celebrates the occasion with song and dance.

Director

Javed Ibrahim was born on 10th March 1986 in Delhi. He began his journey of theatre while studying at Dr. Zakir Hussain College. Later he studied at the Sri Ram Centre and then at the Department of Indian Theatre. After completing his education he worked as an actor in SRC Repertory & NSD Repertory. For 3 years he was a visiting faculty at Jamia University. He has directed plays for many schools. These include Mera Bachpan, Gilli Danda, Panch Parmeshwar, Pareeksha etc. He has worked with renowned theatre directors like Neelam Mansingh, Dr. Mahendra, Dr. Danish Iqbal, Rajendra Nath, Ranjit Kapur, Devendra Raj Ankur etc. He has acted in plays like The Tempest, Chekov ki Duniya, Adamzaad, Panchlet, Trojan Woman and many more.

Director’s Note

Lal Paan Ki Begum looks into the real life situation where even a small unfulfilled desire leads to frustration and baseless anger on anyone and everyone around. No one matters at that point in time. A similar situation arises in life of Birju’s mother. What she does out of frustration is very amusing. Through this story Renu creates an interesting environment of a village and its people. It is a unique story and I love the happy ending where the villagers finally drown in songs and dance.

Basanta Eshe Gyachhe

Director: Raja Bhattacharya

Group: Blank Verse, West Bengal

Language: Bengali

Duration: 1 hr 15 mins

About the Group

Blank Verse has taken a mission to light lamps of moral awakening in today’s world of raging terrorism, planned massacre, bloodshed & irresponsible leadership. Its major productions are Furrut, Kanaichand Palowan, Bhootum, Bhagaban, Aal Izz Well, E=mc², The Great New Life,

Barnaparichay, Basanta Eshe Gyachhe etc. and the attributed authors are Upendra Kishore Roychowdhury, Rabindranath Tagore, William Shakespeare, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Sukumar Ray, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Badal Sircar etc. The group has participated in the 14th Bharat Rang Mahotsav of National School of Drama, Jashn-e-Bachpan of NSD (2006, ’08, ’09 & ’10), Odeon (2006, ’09 & ’11), Vishvabharati Theatre Festival, Nandikar’s NTF’06, Natyamel’06 & ’11 by Govt. of WB and so on. It has done 6 major productions and 3 workshop productions. It gives regular training to elders, and has a weekly theatre activity club Chhutti for children.

About the Play

The Playmaster is narrating a story of the Reverie-Land where some hungry students come on a school tour and a magic spell forces them to do behave in a ridiculous manner. The king of the Reverie-Land tries to spread his charm through his apprentice, Potash, who squeezes the passion-flower on the boys creating all the comedy and errors. Meanwhile, the king makes the clown a donkey, and charms his queen to marry it. But when the magic spell is over, the disillusioned queen understands her folly. The school kids also get disillusioned. Finally, all live happily ever after… except the clown. He is not able to get out of the charm. Being ‘an ass’, he still wants to rule the Reverie-Land. The fellow actors take him back, leaving the audience wondering if the clown and we live simultaneously in the real world.

Director

An honours graduate in English from the University of Calcutta, Raja has bagged the Junior

Scholarship for 2002-04, and also the Junior Fellowship in 2010, both from the Ministry of

Culture, Govt. of India. Workshops of SRPA, run with the discipline of J. Grotowski and a six-month acting training at Nandikar enriched him as an actor. He has also taken body-language and acting classes from H. Kanhailal, Savitri Heisnam and Usha Ganguly. Having formed Blank Verse in 2006, he has participated in Jashn-e-Bachpan & BRM (by NSD) five times with different productions. In 2014, he was selected in ‘Acting Shakespeare’ workshop, conducted by Tim Supple, at Adishakti. As an invited director he directed a multilingual musical, Laxman Ka Shaktishel with the TIE Students of NSD at Agartala, Tripura. Besides writing fictions & plays for Anand Bazar Patrika, Rangapat Natyapatra, SAS etc. and acting in films, Raja has chosen theatre as his career and presently, is the faculty of drama in South Point School, Kolkata.

Director’s Note

I think children are the most essential part of our society. But they always live under restrictions.  Shakespeare in their syllabus distances them from the Indian folk culture which has a major role in creating our history and transforming our sociology. So, being a parallel education process, as we firmly believe it is, our theatre takes the responsibility to open an avenue of learning through entertainment. Shakespeare, here, is introduced to children through minstrelsy, movement, drollery, melody & mirth. Simultaneously, the play connects certain folk forms to find a new & fresh language for Bengali Children’s Theatre. It helps discover and develop a new musical orientation of theatre through folk arts, incorporating Shakespeare. And this process helps not only children, but also their elder counterparts to move towards creativity.

Warm Regards,

Anuj
M: +91 99583 72662

Shakti Raj Vidyarthi

M @ 9711118189
Email:- shakti.vidya@gmail.com