From 26 November to 1 December 2018, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will come together for its thirteenth session in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius. Nearly 800 participants – representatives of States Parties, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions and other stakeholders – from all corners of the world are expected to attend the meeting. Over the sessions, the twenty-four States Members of the Committee are to discuss a number of issues that are important for the safeguarding of living heritage around the world and the following nominations:
- 7 elements proposed for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
- 40 nominations for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; submitted from the countries of South-East Europe are the following: Bosnia and Herzegovina: Picking of iva grass on Ozren mountain; Croatia: Međimurska popevka, a folksong from Međimurje Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland: Art of dry stone walling, knowledge and techniques; Georgia: Chidaoba, wrestling in Georgia; Serbia: Singing to the accompaniment of the Gusle; Slovenia: Bobbin lacemaking in Slovenia;
- 2 proposals for inscription on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices – from Saudi Arabia and Sweden;
- International assistance request – from Albania.
The agenda, provisional timetable, and documents of the meeting are available for consultation at the meeting’s dedicated webpage (https://ich.unesco.org/en/13com).