Intangible Cultural Heritage

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), often referred to as living heritage, encompasses the vibrant expressions of culture that communities pass down through generations. This includes practices like dance, music, oral traditions such as storytelling and local dialects, performing arts, rituals, festive events, knowledge about nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship. According to the official UNESCO definition from the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICH refers to "the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills—as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith—that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage." This living heritage is constantly recreated by communities in response to their environment, providing a sense of identity and continuity while promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. At The ARCH, we celebrate these elements as the heartbeat of communities, fostering connections that bridge the past and present in meaningful, everyday ways.

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How does The ARCH support Intangible Cultural Heritage?

The ARCH supports Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) through a dynamic blend of youth empowerment, research initiatives, and community celebrations that breathe new life into traditional practices. Our youth-led Young Living Craft Activists (YLCA) programme brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to share perspectives and cultures, collaborating on projects that highlight the relevance of living heritage for today's generation. By sharing their personal stories, YLCA participants explore how traditions like crafts and storytelling address modern challenges such as sustainability and community building, empowering them to become stewards of cultural diversity while fostering global connections and innovative ideas.

 

On the research front, our Heritage Atlas project plays a pivotal role by developing a unified methodology to map and evaluate the vitality of traditional crafts worldwide. This initiative collects global data on risks and preservation strategies, with pilot testing set to begin in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, in 2026 through regional workshops involving craftsmen and communities. Focusing on traditions like glassmaking, the Atlas enables targeted support via funding, digital archiving in a global database, and networks for knowledge exchange—ensuring endangered crafts are documented, strengthened economically, and shared across borders through community-driven assessments.

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We also celebrate ICH in local cultures through immersive events like the "Werkstatt der Lebendigen Traditionen" (Workshop of Living Traditions), held on the 18th of October, 2025, at the historic Rittergut Schönberg in the Altmark region of Germany. This feast for the senses, organised in partnership with the Landesheimatbund Sachsen-Anhalt (LHBSA), honours the UNESCO International Day of ICH with hands-on activities that invite all ages to experience the region's rich heritage. Participants can try traditional crafts at stations led by local experts, such as rope making with Seiler Detlef Preetz from the Kreismuseum Osterburg, embroidery with embroiderers from the village community, and printmaking. Children's games, rhymes, circle dances, and competitions add playful energy, while a communal lunch features local delicacies.

The event includes captivating performances and exhibitions: From 2:30 to 4:00 PM, the Club Altmärkischer Autoren—founded in 1987 by Manfred Güßfeld in Osterburg—delights with literary-musical treats in regional dialect (Altmarker Platt), including stories, poems, and songs about local life, from seasonal tales to whimsical anecdotes like "Mückenplage" (mosquito plague) or the Havelberger Pferdemarkt (horse market). Helga Albert, a co-founder of the Plattschnacker group in 1994, shares pieces in Mundart, blending nostalgia with a touch of seafaring yarn.

Highlights from the Kreismuseum Osterburg's exhibition showcase historical treasures, such as the oldest Stickmustertuch (embroidery sampler) from 1692, illustrating themes of handwork, education, fashion, and tradition; a 1926 wedding photo from the Metzgerfamilie Lies, featuring a handmade bridal crown as a symbol of artistic skill; and glimpses into the former Schmiede (smithy) in Meseberg, evoking the rhythms of past craftsmanship. These elements not only preserve Altmark's unique traditions but also spark joy and dialogue about their ongoing role in fostering community and peace, aligning with UNESCO's vision that "wars begin in the minds of men, so it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed."

 

Through these efforts, The ARCH creates spaces where ICH thrives, connecting people across generations and cultures to safeguard and revitalise what makes our world beautifully diverse. Join us in these vibrant initiatives to make a lasting impact!

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How to Get Involved

Whether you're passionate about preserving traditional crafts, empowering young people, or celebrating local heritage, there are many ways to join The ARCH in safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Here's how you can contribute and connect:

• Attend Our Events: Dive into hands-on experiences at upcoming gatherings like the "Werkstatt der Lebendigen Traditionen" (Workshop of Living Traditions) on 18 October 2025 at Rittergut Schönberg in the Altmark. This free event offers workshops in rope making, embroidery, printmaking, and more, alongside performances, exhibitions, and local delicacies. It's a perfect opportunity for families and individuals to engage with living traditions. 

• Join the Young Living Craft Activists (YLCA) Programme: Become part of our youth-led movement that empowers young people to explore cultural heritage, sustainability, and creativity through arts and crafts. Collaborate on projects that highlight the relevance of ICH today—apply via our Instagram @young.living.craft.activists or contact us to learn more.

• Volunteer with Us: Lend a hand at our ZukunftsHandwerker children's workshops and community craft days in the Altmark region. Help craftspeople ensure safe, quality learning for kids aged 3-18, teaching skills like woodworking, weaving, and clay modelling. Opportunities are available for Autumn 2025 sessions at Rittergut Schönberg and pop-up locations through the Altmark —get in touch to sign up and make a difference in preserving endangered crafts.

• Support the ZukunftsHandwerker Project: Contribute to our initiative providing craft experiences for 150 children annually. Donate to fund essentials: €10 for an apron, €50 for tools, or €109 for a workbench. Every contribution helps foster creativity, patience, and sustainable thinking. Visit our fundraising page on Betterplace: https://www.betterplace.org/de/projects/155264-zukunftshandwerker-kinderwerkstaetten-in-der-altmark.

• Participate in the Heritage Atlas: Engage in our global research to map and preserve traditional crafts. Join regional workshops starting in Saxony-Anhalt in 2026, or share your knowledge of local traditions to help build our digital database and networks.

• Start Your Own Craft Hub: Use our global best practices and upcoming Community Craft Event Handbook to establish a local hub tailored to your community, promoting ICH through workshops and events.

• Follow and Connect on Social Media: Stay updated and share your stories via Instagram at @zukunftshandwerkeraltmark for Altmark-focused updates or @young.living.craft.activists for YLCA insights. Join the conversation to amplify the importance of living heritage.

• Contact Us: For more information, partnership opportunities, or to get involved, reach out to Kerstin Rice at The ARCH: email contact@thearch.org or telephone +49 39396 978438. We're excited to hear from you and collaborate on keeping cultural traditions alive!

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Your involvement helps bridge generations and cultures—join us today to create a more vibrant, diverse world!

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