Objective

Article 12 of the "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stipulates that "to ensure identification with a view to safeguarding, each State Party shall draw up, in a manner geared to its own situation, one or more inventories of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory. These inventories shall be regularly updated." The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region now presents the proposed items for inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory (ICH Inventory) and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Representative List). The public may offer their views from 27 August to 23 September 2024.

 

 

Criteria for Inclusion

ICH Inventory

 

The criteria for inclusion in the ICH Inventory adopted by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (ICHAC) are as follows:

• the item is transmitted from generation to generation within particular groups or areas, reflecting its history and development in Hong Kong;
• the item facilitates community relations and provides a sense of identity and continuity in the community; and
• the item is compatible with international human rights instruments.

 

Representative List

 

The criteria for inclusion in the Representative List adopted by the ICHAC are as follows:

• the item has been inscribed onto the ICH Inventory of Hong Kong;
• the item embodies local traditional culture and carries significant historical, literary, artistic, scientific, technological or arts and crafts values;
• the item is transmitted from generation to generation and has a dynamic and living nature;
• the item possesses the distinct traits of an ethnic group or a region, or manifests the characteristics of the local living culture as a typical example of that culture; and
• the item exerts significant influence on the community, reinforces community ties and provides communities or groups with a sense of identity and continuity.

 

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) has been conducting surveys and research on valuable local cultural heritage items. After reviews conducted by the Sub-committee on ICH Items and ICHAC, thirty-four proposed items are recommended for inclusion in the ICH Inventory, and four proposed items are recommended for the Representative List.

 

 

Brief Description of the Proposed Items for Inclusion in the ICH Inventory

 

Brief Description of the Proposed Items for Inclusion in the Representative List

 

 

Collection of Public Views

The collection of public views for the Proposed Items for Inclusion in the ICH Inventory and the Representative List of the ICH was closed on 23 September 2024.
 

For enquiries, please contact ICHO on 2851 6134.