Friday, May 12, at 15.00 An honesty event will be held in the big hall of the Ministry of Culture, which will mark the inclusion of the skills of the Gauja plosters in THE representative list of UNESCO mankind intangible cultural heritage.
The event will gather the representatives of the Gauja plosters, the Valmiera Municipality, the Strency Administration, the Latvian National Cultural Centre, the Latvian Academy of Culture, the representatives of the Latvian local government.
On 1 December 2022, in Morocco, the Rabat UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to include UNESCO in the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO in a list of “tree flooding” of several national heritage elements, which also includes the value of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Latvia – the skills of the Gauja plosters.
“Inclusion of the skills of the Gauja plosters IN THE representative list of UNESCO mankind intangible cultural heritage is a major event not only in Latvia but also internationally. Several years ago, this prestigious list included our tradition of songs and dance festivals. We can be truly proud of all the work done over the years, as well as we all have to assess the treasure of intangible heritage, which is carefully selected and protected by the Gauja plosters,” notes the Minister of Culture, President of UNESCO Latvian National Commission Nauris Puntulis.
“Tree floating” of multinational applications (Timber rafting) is a total of six countries: Austria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Spain and Germany. In the 19 th century, the raft was a favorite work of Vidzeme peasants in spring, while in the 20 th century the raft was slowed down by the most economically advantageous floating of timber. In 1996, the tradition was restored by launching annual raft sieving and floating along the Gauja to Strench, where it concludes with the festival of the Gauja plosters, the moment of waiting for a special raft, the procession of the Gauja plosters and the performance. In 2018, the skills of the Gauja plosters were included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Latvia.
THE representative list of UNESCO mankind intangible cultural heritage is designed to ensure greater visibility of intangible cultural heritage and to expand awareness of its importance and to promote dialogue on cultural diversity. To date, THE representative list OF UNESCO mankind intangible cultural heritage of Latvia includes a tradition of songs and dance festivals (2008) and symbolism in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, while the suiti cultural space (2009) is included in the list of intangible cultural heritage, which must ensure immediate preservation.
On UNESCO
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialised United Nations agency that brings together 193 countries worldwide for mutual cooperation in education, science, culture, communication and information to promote peace, public welfare and sustainable development. Latvia joined UNESCO in 1991, but since 1994 THE Latvian National Commission of UNESCO has ensured the implementation of UNESCO programmes in Latvia and is concerned with the representation of Latvia's interests and experience in THE areas of UNESCO's activities internationally. More plašāk: www.unesco.lv and Facebook.com/UNESCOLNK.