Call to safeguarding collective singing traditions
With the European Union declaring 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage, broader public awareness for the safeguarding of our heritage increased across Europe, and new initiatives and projects were born. Yet, despite the 20-year existence of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, there is still and too often a focus on tangible heritage and intangible heritage is not always fully recognized.
Since vocal music, which includes choral music and collective singing in general, has the largest number of intangible heritage traditions listed by UNESCO within the field of music, the European Choral Association decided to publish an advocacy statement in September 2023, calling on decision-makers and cultural heritage professionals to fully recognize the importance and the role of intangible cultural heritage and support measures of support, protection and promotion.
It also calls on persons active in the education sector to integrate collective singing traditions in their work with all age groups.
Read the full statement HERE.