Why are we truly in love with Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)?
I asked myself this question as I returned from an inspiring UNESCO-supported workshop in Sofia and Pernik, Bulgaria, where cultural and creative practices in the Western Balkans took center stage. Being a culture bearer of the custom Martinki (inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List since 2017) is a deep honor — but my connection to ICH runs even deeper.
The on-site capacity-building workshop in Sofia and Pernik, Bulgaria was focused on fostering cultural and creative practices across the Western Balkans. The event was part of the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans programme, supported by UNESCO Venice.
As I have often stated in my notes, I am not only a professional working in this field—I am also a culture bearer. Since 2017, I have been part of the multinational safeguarding of the custom Martinki, inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Carrying this responsibility is an honor, but it is not the only reason I feel so deeply connected to intangible cultural heritage.
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is not something we simply study or protect—it is something we feel. It lives in our daily rituals, our songs, our crafts, our celebrations. It is woven into the invisible fabric that connects us as human beings across generations.
My love for ICH comes from something more profound:
- it gives us roots,
- it shapes our identity,
- it creates a sense of belonging,
- and it forges a living bond with our ancestors.
🌱 The Roots That Ground Us
At its heart, ICH gives us roots. These traditions, practices, and expressions remind us where we come from. They anchor us to a cultural soil that nourishes our identity and provides a sense of stability in a rapidly changing world.
🪢 A Sense of Identity
It gives us identity. Each dance step, each melody, each handcrafted symbol carries the uniqueness of a community. It tells us who we are, not through history books, but through living expressions that are shared, practiced, and passed on.
🤝 A Feeling of Belonging
It gives us belonging. To take part in an age-old custom is to feel the embrace of a community that stretches beyond space and time. In that moment, we are not alone—we are part of something larger, something enduring.
🔥 The Bond With Our Ancestors
And most of all, it gives us a bond with our ancestors. These are the voices and gestures they left behind, the ones we feel so deeply that words often fail us. When we sing their songs, wear their symbols, or repeat their gestures, we connect with them in ways that transcend language.
Why It Matters Today
In a world that often pulls us toward uniformity and speed, ICH reminds us of the richness of diversity and the depth of slowness. It is not nostalgia; it is continuity. It teaches us resilience, creativity, and humanity—qualities that are as vital today as they were centuries ago.
Economic Sustainability and Local Communities
Beyond its cultural and emotional value, ICH also contributes to economic sustainability. UNESCO emphasizes that safeguarding living traditions must go hand in hand with supporting the communities that keep them alive. When local crafts, rituals, and practices are nurtured, they generate livelihoods, encourage sustainable tourism, and create opportunities for new generations to remain connected to their heritage while building dignified economic futures.
Short conclusion
As I carried the insights home from Sofia and Pernik, one truth stayed with me: ICH is not only about safeguarding memories of the past. It is about empowering communities in the present and ensuring dignity, identity, and sustainable futures. That is why I remain — and always will be — in love with intangible cultural heritage.
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This text was originally published in my LinkedIn newsletter.
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