Interview with Danijela Filipovic

Interview with Danijela Filipovic

ethnologist-anthropologist from the Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Serbia

Chairperson of the General Assembly of the Regional Centre Sofia

R.C.: What are the key messages of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage that have remained fully relevant to this day?

D.F.: The 2003 Convention sheds a light on the intangible cultural heritage as a relevant constituent of identity and an inseparable factor of providing sense of continuity of local communities and groups. Furthermore, the concept of living heritage has the potential in promoting respect for cultural diversity, human creativity, local sustainability, and inclusive social and economic growth! In that respect, it is essential to stress, constantly, that intangible cultural heritage demonstrates the richness and variety of cultural heritage. We can consider it as a reminder that different communities that are living in the same cultural area, may share elements of cultural heritage and traditional forms of cultural practices and expressions, which can be seen as an important cohesive factor both on national and international level. 

R.C.: Would you identify such trends in the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage as relate to the use of formal and non-formal education and are the result of educational policies and practices?

D.F.:Inclusion of intangible cultural heritage in the formal and non-formal education is usually the result of individual initiatives, rather than creation and implementation of new policies in the field of education. The common methods of transferring the knowledge and skills related to the ICH within communities, are usually part of informal programs where transmission is mostly achieved through workshops or optional school courses, while being less present as an integral part of formal education. Currently, the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage and involvement of bearers in the implementation of formal education programs is largely limited to individual initiatives and is the result of efforts to improve existing curricula in high schools and at the universities. On the other hand, informal education programs are much more numerous and many of them are implemented by the cultural institutions, in cooperation with the bearers of living heritage and communities.

R.C.: Which are the highlights in marking the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the 2003 Convention and how do they relate to the dynamic changes in the political, cultural, social and economic contexts of the present day?

D.F.:The Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted with the intention of promoting a new approach to cultural heritage safeguarding, a new understanding of heritage beyond monuments and artefacts, and a recognition of living heritage as a force of social transformation and sustainable development. The care for heritage has been entrusted to bearers and local communities, in addition to professionals and official institutions, while establishing a new mechanism and expanding the circle of stakeholders involved in its safeguarding and preservation to ensure that it is passed down to future generations.

In my opinion, twenty years is enough time to realize and adapt a document with such an impact. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage should not be seen as a set of binding recommendations. It should be treated as a well-intentioned guide containing, a concept of flexible policies that would mark the most adequate way out of cultural, social, economic crises.

R.C.: In what direction do you anticipate the future development of Regional Category 2 Centers in terms of the safeguarding, conservation and evolution of the living heritages?

D.F.:I have experience from my work with the Category 2 Regional Center based in Sofia. I have been watching its development and expansion for quite some time. The Regional Center was established in 2011 as a particularly important part of the system for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, aimed to fosters regional and international cooperation  in the South-Eastern Europe, promote the cooperation in the field of intangible cultural heritage  as well as carry out initiatives for safeguarding and popularization of the intangible cultural heritage of the countries in South-Eastern Europe. In the first decade, Center achieved many of this goals, especially in the establishment of cooperation among professionals and presentation of the elements of intangible cultural from the region.

The important tasks for the future development of Regional Category 2 Centers could be focused on further work on the connections between ICH and sustainable development as well as establishment cooperation between communities and to support communities not only in safeguarding their intangible cultural practices, but also in promoting respect for other cultural traditions, cultural diversity and human creativity.

R.C.: How your personal experience in communicating with intangible cultural heritage has affected your professional growth?

D.F.:As the national focal point for ICH, I am in a position to work on the development and expansion of national network of bodies, institutions and professionals competent in the field of ICH, as well as policies, and procedures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and, most importantly, their implementation at the national level. This includes permanent learning and creating new skills for dealing with living heritage, as well as constant interaction with bearers, communities and experts in various fields of cultural heritage, which I consider not only as a professional challenge, but also as one of the main principles in safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.