The proceedings of the thematic seminar on INTANGIBLE HERITAGE, Cahul, October 2012

1. Page | 1
PROCEEDINGS – Thematic Seminar on
INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
Cahul, Sept.2012
Within the framework of the project VIVA EASTPART -Valorisation
and ImproVing of mAnagement of Small Historic Centres in the
EASTern PARTnership region (DCI-HUM/2010/135)
Organisers: ACTIE - Cross-Border Cooperation and European
Integration Agency, Cahul, Republic of Moldova

2. Page | 2
Contents
VIVA EASTPART Consortium ......................................................................................................... 3
ABOUT THE SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS ..................................................................................... 4
SEMINAR FRAMEWORK ......................................................................................................................... 4
SUMMARY OF THE SEMINAR ............................................................................................................... 5
AGENDA .................................................................................................................................................. 6
PRESENTATIONS AND ARTICLES ................................................................................................ 8

3. VIVA EASTPART Consortium
Page | 3
Project Coordinator:
ATU - Association for Urban Transition, Bucharest, Romania
Project Partners:
ARMECAS – Armenian Ecotourism Association, Yerevan, Armenia
ACTIE - Cross-Border Cooperation and European Integration Agency, Cahul, Republic of
Moldova
DICAR - Architecture and Civil Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of Bari,
Bari, Italy
For more information contact: Ioana.ivanov@atu.org.ro

4. ABOUT THE SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS
th
The thematic seminar on Intangible Heritage was held in Cahul, Republic of Moldova, on September 7
and 8
th. Page | 4
In order to make the information and ideas presented at the seminar promptly and widely available,
participants in the seminar were invited to submit written papers based on their presentations for inclusion
in refereed conference proceedings to be published on the wb.
SEMINAR FRAMEWORK
The project organises 4 Thematic Seminars on the following topics Minor Historic Centre’s Intangible
heritage (antique and modern art, artistic craftsmanship, popular traditions, and food and gastronomic
culture; etc). Moldova – Cahul
I. Seminar on Methodology on Territorial Cultural Systems. Italy – Bari.
II. Minor Historic Centre’s Tangible heritage (archaeological sites, monuments, museums,
expositions, etc), Armenia – Yerevan.
III. Spatial planning and Landscape: environmental landscape, rural landscapes, natural parks,
habitat, conservation areas and historic centres, etc. Romania – Sibiu.
These seminars will produce a mapping of the available and potential cultural and touristic assets and a
Methodology on Territorial Cultural Systems for establishing a framework in each of the areas. These will
be of use to the decision-makers and public administrators in planning cultural heritage enhancement
processes, based on the integrated territorial approach.
Following the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage that subdivides it in 4 categories:
 Oral traditions and expressions: language and communication, mainly if considered as means to
express or transmit intangible cultural heritage.
 Performing arts; music (instrumental and human voice), dance and theatre in their traditional,
classical, ethnographic, or other forms.
 Social practices: social intercourse, corresponding to day-to-day life activities, rituals (religious or
non-religious) and festive events that mark the way of life of a certain human group; under this
topic gastronomy will also have a place
 Traditional craftsmanship: various forms of material production, having in mind that all material
culture has an intangible meaning and that the "know-how" is it-self intrinsically intangible.

5. SUMMARY OF THE SEMINAR
The thematic seminar on Intangible Heritage was the first of the four seminars planned within the
th th Page | 5
framework of VIVA EASTPART. It was held in Cahul, Republic of Moldova, on September 7 and 8 .
The next seminars will take place in Bari, Italy, in October, in Tavush (Armenia) and Valea Hartibaciului
(Romania) in 2013.
The seminar aimed to:
 Analyse the present situation of Intangible Heritage in the Eastern partnership area.
 Identify available and potential intangible cultural and touristic assets in the implementation areas
(mapping)
 Identify and analyse examples (local and international best practices) of Intangible Heritage’s
contribution to minor historic centres and territorial cultural systems.
The thematic seminar covered the following topics:
 Context/State of Art /present situation of Intangible Heritage, with particular attention to minor
historic centres in the Eastern partnership area.
 Challenges and conservation of Intangible Heritage in minor historic centres and territorial cultural
systems in the areas involved.
 Examples on Intangible Heritage’s contribution to minor historic centres and territorial cultural
systems.
Furthermore, the thematic seminar on Intangible Cultural Heritage included two workshops on traditional
performing arts and gastronomy, promoting hands-on experience to all participants, who had the
opportunity to learn traditional know-how from its owners and practitioners.
The seminar benefited from a strong support at the local level, bringing together representatives of: Cahul
District Council, Cahul City Hall, Town Halls of Colibasi, Valeni, Slobozia as well as other villages in the
area, Cahul State University, Vinia Traian Winery, local craftsmen and other service providers in Cahul,
local mass media and local NGOs.

6. AGENDA
Page | 6
FRIDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
08:30-09:00 – Registration of participants
09:00-09:30 - Welcome speeches
09:30-11:00 – Session A: part 1 (Chair by Mr. AJDER)
'Intangible Cultural Heritage: Context of Moldova', Mr. Ghenadie IVAŞCENCO, VIVA EASTPART
International Expert.
“Context and State of art of Intangible Heritage in the Cahul Region with particular attention to small
historic centres”, Mr. Veaceslav GARNET, Professor, Cahul State University
11:00-11:30 - Coffee break
11:30-13:00 – Session A: part 2 (Chair by Ms. GALYAN)
“Context and State of Art of Intangible Heritage in Armenia with particular attention to minor historic
centres”, Mr. Sarhat PETROSYAN, VIVA EASTPART International Expert.
“Context and State of Art of Intangible Heritage in Romania, with particular attention to minor historic
centres”, Josefina LÓPEZ GALDEANO, VIVA EASTPART Project Manager.
13:00-14:30 – Lunch
14:30-16:00 – Session B (Chair by Ms. Josefina LÓPEZ GALDEANO)
Challenges and conservation of Intangible Heritage in minor historic centres: cases studies in Italy and
Spain, Mr. Federico SALMERON ESCOBAR, VIVA EASTPART International Expert, Mr. Giovanni
MANCO, VIVA EASTPART International Expert.
16:00-16:30 - Coffee break
16:30-17:30 – Session C (Chair by Ms. ADJER)
Examples on Intangible Heritage’s contribution to territorial cultural systems: EU practices, Mr. Francesco
ROTONDO, Local Coordinator Scientific partner.
18:30 - Plenary session - final discussion
20:00 h - Workshop* on Social practices: “Winery of Vinia Traian”, organised by: ACTIE and Vinia Traian
Winery; coordinator: Mrs. Maria Ajder

7. ABSTRACT: Viticulture and wine production has a millenary tradition in the southern part of Moldova.
This traditional occupation was always an integral part of the local culture and had a profound impact on
the lifestyle in the region. It also constitutes an important resource for tourism development.
Page | 7
21.30 - Social Dinner
SATURDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
09.30-13:30 h – Workshop* on performing arts: “folks dances and music of Craitele folk group” and visit to
“traditional art and crafts”, organised by: Valeni Town Hall, coordinator: Mrs. Maria Ajder
ABSTRACT: Thanks to the rural character of the region, many traditions in either folk music and dances
or traditional craftsmanship were preserved in the district's villages. They constitute an important part of
the cultural heritage of the region and efforts have been made to preserve, develop and capitalize this
heritage.
14:00-15:00 - Lunch
15:00 Closing Ceremony
*Workshops are organised by selected institutions that acts on the preservation and disclosure of different
manifestations of the Moldavian intangible heritage and traditions.
All workshops promoted a broad discussion on each subject, encouraging the share of experiences and
cultures and promoting some hands-on experience to all participants who will have the opportunity to
learn traditional know-how from its owners and practitioners.
The workshops took place in Valeni and Vinia Traian on 7th and 8th of September and are organised in 2
main subjects: performative arts and on social practices.

8. PRESENTATIONS AND ARTICLES
Page | 8
1. Intangible Cultural Heritage: CONTEXT OF MOLDOVA, Ghenadie IVAŞCENCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage: CONTEXT OF MOLDOVA
BAKGROUND: Towards Recognizing ICH
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE (ICH) IN MOLDOVA
Historical & Geographical Context
Legal Framework
The Law on ICH
Institutional Framework
Key Lessons

9. BAKGROUND: Towards Recognizing ICH
Page | 9
Generally, heritage is defined as ‘what we value’ or ‘what we wish to pass on to future
generations’. Heritage resources provide living communities with a sense of community with
previous generations. They are important to cultural identity as well as to the conservation of the
cultural diversity and creativity of humanity.
In 1972 has been adopted the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, that constituted a crucial
moment in designing the global architecture of studying and safeguarding of the heritage
places. There has been established the Word Heritage Committee to guide the process.
Currently, the World Heritage List includes almost 800 places of international significance in
approximately 30 countries.
Up to the beginning of 21st century, built heritage almost totally dominated international heritage
lists as an icon of civilization, permanence and modernity. Traditional assessments of heritage
value have emphasized high culture and monumental forms (e.g. cathedrals) over other
heritage forms. Consequently, for long time, the intangible values have been often neglected
in both national and international mechanisms for safeguarding.
The intangible heritage is generally defined as those aspects of the heritage that, unlike places
or objects, are ephemeral: these include oral traditions, languages, traditional performing arts,
knowledge systems, values and know how.
The current interest in intangible heritage is rooted in the late 20th century tendency to re-
evaluate the benefits of modernity, express a fear of the effects of globalization and search for
smaller-scale local identities. Globalization is feared as a cultural bulldozer capable of
flattening marginal cultural forms in the same way as Hollywood flood the local film market.
In 1989, the General Conference of UNESCO adopted a ‘Recommendation on the
Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore’. Despite the fact that only few member
states have adopted it, the Recommendation encouraged the emerging of very important
safeguarding outputs (e.g. UNESCO Red Book of Languages in Danger of Disappearing,
Traditional Music of the World Collection, etc.)
In Stockholm in 1998, the Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development
recognized that the world’s intangible heritage was at risk and needed to be properly managed
and safeguarded as part of the development agenda. The Conference suggested UNESCO to
develop new and more appropriate instruments for safeguarding the intangible heritage. Three
years later, in 2002, in Istanbul/Turkey, representatives from 110 countries adopted the
‘Istanbul Declaration 2002’, in which they recognized the value on intangible cultural heritage
and voiced their full support for effective measures at all levels, from international to local, to
safeguard intangible cultural heritage. Most important – the Declaration proposed the adoption

10. of a new Convention recognizing the complex nature of intangible heritage and its need for
protection.
Page | 10
As result of numerous efforts, debates and recommendations, in 2003 in Paris UNESCO
adopted a new Convention to safeguard intangible heritage, along the lines of the World
Heritage Convention for Places from 1972. UNESCO decided to develop a separate
Convention for intangible heritage (and not just extend the 1972 Convention) for two main
reasons: (i) the difficulty of redrafting of narrow definition of cultural heritage in the WHC, which
refers only to monuments, buildings and places; and (ii) difficulty of revising the criterion of
outstanding universal value for inscription in the World Heritage List. Nevertheless, the debates
related to the inter-correlation between ‘tangible’ and ‘intangible’ heritage are continuing to
challenge the researchers and specialists in the field. They are two parts of the same coin, or
they are two levels of heritage: a primitive one, and a civilized one?
The Convention entered into force on April 20, 2006 for the thirty states that had ratified it. It is
important to mention that less than 9 years after its adoption by the General Conference of
UNESCO in November 2003, this Convention has already gained the adhesion of 144 Member
States. In comparison, it took 23 years for the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of
the World Cultural and Natural Heritage to achieve the same quantum of ratifications.
One of the key issues addressed to instruments to safeguard intangible heritage is the question
about the community rights. These is because the necessity to support people who will maintain
intangible heritage forms as part of the safeguarding them. There are a number of international
organizations working in the area or ‘intangible heritage rights protection’, led by WIPO. The
interventions in the field started in ’60s last century. In 1967 has been revised Berne Convention
in order to provide some intellectual property protection for expression of folklore. In 1982
UNESCO jointly with WIPO adopted the ‘Model Provisions for National Laws on the Protection
of Expressions of Folklore against illicit exploitation’. WIPO has later developed a draft toolkit
and a practical guide on the protection for traditional cultural expressions. Technical
requirements for database or registers have been drafted, including the need for appropriate
security mechanisms and access limitations. Nevertheless, many countries consider intangible
heritage to be in the public domain and do not have legislative protection for expressions of
folklore. Certain countries, however, have laws aimed specifically at safeguarding the cultural
heritage legislation of their native people.
Generally speaking, while the continuing development of the international legislation in the field,
there persists a strong criticism that it is not ‘erga omnes’, as the international conventions
on human rights and environment. The key critics is, therefore, that it do not oblige states to
implement proactive mechanisms, and that it is failing to ensure that control over intangible
heritage management and benefits remained with the communities which owned that heritage.
Despite this fact, since the Convention has been adopted in 2003, many things has been
changed both at the international and national levels.

11. INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE (ICH) IN MOLDOVA
Page | 11
Historical & Geographical Context
The Republic of Moldova is a small country with a controversial history and very specific human
settlements networking. Several historical and geographical factors had (and still have) a crucial
influence on the preservation, safeguarding and promotion of the Moldovan intangible cultural
heritage.
1. Moldova – is still a predominantly rural country. In the strongly urbanized world,
Moldova presents itself as the most rural country in Europe. Moreover, the country is
facing a process of ruralization and des-urbanisation. According to population census
data, the share of rural population increased from 52.3% in 1989 to 61% in 2004
(nevertheless, if taking into consideration the rural characteristics of many small taowns,
the share of rural population is about 70%). Except 4 cities (Chisinau, Balti, Tiraspol and
Bender), no one Moldovan urban settlement has a population higher than 30-35,000
inhabitants. In fact, the strong rurality of the country (over 50% of urban population is
born in rural area) is an encouraging factor in insuring the sustainability of intangible
cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the mass emigration abroad and the globalization trends
have a tough impact on new generations. The rurality of the country is losing its
traditional characteristics.
2. Historically, ethnically, linguistically and culturally, Moldova and Moldovans are part of
the bigger Romanian area. In fact, generally, Moldova and Romania are sharing the
same intangible cultural heritage. This is an important factor for mutual collaboration
for joint safeguarding and promotion of the common cultural intangible heritage.
3. After 200 years of Russian dominance (inclusive 50 years of Soviet policy of des-
nationalization), the identity of Moldovan people is still a (politically) controversial
issue. The people are still dividing themselves in two groups: (i) ones, which are
considered themselves as Bessarabian Romanians with the same cultural identity as
their neighbors, and (2) the second group (much more numerous) wich are considering
themselves as Moldovans, which are different from Romanians. This aspect should be
taken into consideration especially within the process of capitalizing the ‘intangible
heritage’ at the local level.
4. Moldova is a country with important minority groups. An important aspect to be taken
into consideration is that, in comparison with Moldovan population, the absolute majority
of minority groups are more urbanized. Additionally, while considered ‘Russian

12. speakers’, 75% of the ‘minoritarians’ are Ukranians, Gagauzians and Bulgarians which
do not use more their own language and cultural habits. The safeguarding of the
intangible heritage specific to these groups should be specifically approached. Page | 12
Legal Framework
Moldova is considered to be among the countries with advanced legislative development in
the field of intangible heritage safeguarding.
On March 24, 2006 the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova ratified the UNESCO
Convention regarding the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, adopted in Paris on
17 October, 2003 (in fact, Moldova ratified the Convention one month before the Convention
entered into force, being among the first 30 countries that ratified the Convention).
On March 29, 2012 the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova adopted the Law on
Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
On the same time, several legal acts are regulating directly and indirectly the cultural intangible
heritage:
 Law on Culture from 27.05.1999 is determining the free access to culture.
 Law on Museums from 27.12.2002 is regulating the system of evidence and protection
of the heritage owned by the museums.
 Law on Archive from 22.01.1992 is regulating the mechanisms of archiving of the
cultural and artistic objects.
 Law on Traditional Craftsmanship from 20.03.2003 is regulating the activity of craftsmen,
aiming to protect the popular crafts.
The Law on ICH
The Law is determining the general legal framework for identification, protection, transmission,
promotion, revitalization and exploring of the cultural intangible heritage of the Republic of
Moldova. According to the Law, the owner of the intangible cultural heritage is the people of
Moldova. The registration of intellectual/property rigths on any part of intangible heritage is
prohibited to any legal entity or private person.
The Law is defining the intangible heritage, as – the totality of elements of traditional authentic
heritage, valuable from cultural and historical perspective, transmitted in oral form from
generation to generation, expressed in literal, musical, choreographic or theater form, practices,
representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts

13. and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases,
individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
Page | 13
According to the Law, there are five distinctive characteristics of the intangible heritage:
 Anonymous character
 Transmitted in oral form from generation to generation
 Specific from point of view of territory, ethnicity, religious
 Considered to be very important for the identification of specific communities or groups
 (re) Produced and Performed in the traditional technique of the specific community or
group.
The cultural intangible heritage is applied to the following domains:
 Oral expressions
 Music
 Choreography
 Social practices (ritual, festive events, customs)
 Cosmology and spiritual beliefs
 Traditional craftsmanship
 Gastronomy
 Traditional cultural institutions (‘claca’, ‘şezătoarea’)
 Material meaning for transmission of intangible heritage.
The Law is determining the following management instruments:
 Scientific Research (identification, documentation, drafting dossiers)
 Codifying (preparatory work for the registration of the particular element of intangible
heritage in the national/international registry)
 National Registry for Intangible Cultural Heritage (procedures of registration of the
elements and its management)
 Honorific Title of ‘Treasure Carrier Alive’
 Safeguarding and revitalization (measures to support the protection: education and
awareness, specialized specialists, audio-visual production, etc.)
 Financing (in responsibility of the State Budget (through Ministry of Culture) and budgets
of local governments). The law is encouraging the private financing (grants, international
programs, donations, etc.).

The National Registry on Intangible Heritage is under elaboration and is expected to be
approved and published during the year of 2012. There are planned 2 volumes: (1) ICH
related to Moldovans/Romanians and (2) ICH related to the minority ethnic groups.
The first volume will contain over 400 elements.

14. Institutional Framework
The main national institutions involved in the process of safeguarding of the intangible cultural Page | 14
heritage in the Republic of Moldova are the following:
Ministry of Culture is the main state institution responsible to formulate and implement the policy
related to the intangible cultural heritage.
Main responsibilities
 Elaborate and implement state policies in the field of intangible heritage (concepts,
strategies, plans, regulations)
 Establish the National Commission for Intangible Heritage
 Manage the National Register for Intangible Heritage
 Approve (at the recommendation of the Commission) the decision for including in the
National Register
 Monitor and support methodologically the activities of local governments in the field
 Formulate and submit roposals to include the elements of national intangible heritage
in the UNESCO List of World Heritage
Note: The Ministry of Culture is intending to initiate the elaboration of the National Strategy for
Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage in 2013.
National Commission for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Specialized scientific
body, subordinated to the Ministry of Culture, which is coordinating the national policy for
safeguarding the intangible heritage.
Main responsibilities:
 Prepare dossiers of elements to be included in National Register
 Consultative support to the ministry
 Endorsement of the national policy documents in the field
National Centre for Safeguarding and Promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Dedicated
executive institution, responsible to implement the specific practical activities related to the
intangible cultural heritage.
Main responsibilities:
 Methodological support to national and local public bodies
 Inventory of the elements of cultural intangible heritage
 Practical activities in the field
Note: The establishment of the National Centre for Safeguarding of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage is requested by the Law and is currently under consideration by the
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova. It is expected that the Centre will be
established in 2013.

15. Local Governments are, generally, responsible for the social and economic development of their
communities. Regarding the intangible cultural heritage, the local authorities have been
delegated with the following particular responsibilities: Page | 15
 Ensure the viability of the traditional local folklore and spiritual culture
 Support the ‘depositary’ and ‘trasmissioners’ of the intangible cultural heritage.
 Cooperate with central public authorities for mapping, inventory and safeguarding of
the intangible cultural heritage.
 Initiate and support community initiatives to safeguard and promote the local
intangible cultural heritage elements.
Generally speaking, as communities are those who created intangible cultural heritage and
keep it alive, local governments should have a privileged place in safeguarding it.
Moldova jointly with Romania are preparing the dossier to include in the UNESCO World
Intangible Heritage List - ‘colindatul in ceata barbateasca’ – a social practice during the
Christmass. Previously, Romania already succeeded to include in the UNESCO list 2 other
elements – ‘Doina’ (traditional song) and ‘Dansul calutului’ (traditional dance), which are also
part of Moldovan intangible cultural heritage.
Key Lessons:
 The international legislation in the field of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ is not ‘erga
omnes’ (has a recommendation and not obligatory approach), in comparison with
international conventions on human rights and environment. Therefore, in order to be
more effective, the efforts of involved institutions should be more pro-active.
 Cultural policy can contribute to social and economic development by growing
communities/national cultural capital, promoting local identity and promoting global
cultural diversity. Intangible heritage form a crucial part of this cultural capital and need
to be safeguarded. It is important to consider ‘intangible heritage’ – as a ‘development
factor’.
 The legal and institutional framework related to ICH in Moldova is at its incipient phase.
In order to make the process more efficient and resultative, it is necessary to initiate and
promote few very successful case studies/practices. An important and extensive
awareness raising activity is to be promoted.
 The Moldovan Local Authorities are delegated by the Law with responsibilities to
safeguard and promote the local intangible heritage. It is important to support local

16. authorities and advocate them to plan the financial resources in local budgets for
this objective.
Page | 16
 As the intangible characteristic of the heritage is given by the community rather
than the expert, it implies a new ‘contact’ between civil society and the state. In the
practice of safeguarding intangible heritage, we constantly need to ask ourselves (i)
whose voices are heard, and (ii) whose interests are ultimately served. This requires
sensitivity on the part of the governmental entities (both central and local) towards the
relationship between heritage ‘experts’ and community representatives and recognition
of the need to manage the distribution of potential benefits in the most equitable and
appropriate way.
 Intangible heritage should not always be celebrated uncritically. Recording what we
know of the past (whatever its moral status) and using it to inform the present is helpful
and valuable, but uncritically accepting utopian versions of the past or perpetuating
damaging aspects of the past is not. We cannot, for example, condone the physical
abuse of women, because it is ‘traditional’ in many communities.
Notes:
 This is not a Scientific Report.
 The Author does not have intention to present the full information on the subject.

17. 2. Intangible Heritage in Armenia, Sarhat PETROSYAN
Page | 17
Contents
LEGISLATION ON INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
International responsibilities
National Legislation
Action Plans on National level
LISTED ELEMENTS
Representative list
Urgent Safeguarding
UNESCO Representative List
INTANGIBLE TAVUSH
Folklore
Local cults
Food
Fests
SUMMARY
REFERENCES

18. LEGISLATION ON INTANGIBLE HERITAGE Page | 18
International responsibilities
The Republic of Armenia 15 years after its independence in March 20, 2006 signed UNESCO’s
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which was approved by
1441 countries in Paris on year 2003. The same year (2006) on October 17th National Assembly
of Armenia approved the Convention after which the Convention became accepted by Armenia.
On October 23, 2006 Republic of Armenia signed UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection and
Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which was approved by National Assembly
on May 27, 2007. Starting from that day Government of Armenia, in particular Ministry of Culture
(then Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs) became responsible for implementation of
recommendations of two conventions and preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
National Legislation
On November 20, 2002 National Assembly of Armenia approved the Law on the Basics of
Cultural Legislation. Based on this Law the Republic of Armenia assigns the direction towards
which cultural policy has to be developed by defining the role of the Government on National
level as well as the roles of local authorities.
On October 7, 2009 National Assembly of Armenia approved the Law on Intangible Cultural
Heritage. The law defined the procedures and importance of identification, documentation,
classification, implementation, restoration 2 of intangible cultural heritage of Armenia and
responsibilities of the parties.
Action Plans on National level
On November 23, 2006, the same year when the Republic of Armenia officially signed
UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Government
approved the Strategy on Safeguarding and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
1
Figures of July 17, 2012. Source: www.unesco.org
2
www.mincult.am/intangible_cultural_heritage.html

19. On May 3, 2007 Government of Armenia approved the Work Plan and Schedule for
Safeguarding and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Based on these two decrees Government developed actions that were needed for safeguarding Page | 19
the intangible heritage. Development of National legislation, definition of criteria’s on preparing
the lists, preparation of the lists were among the activities.
The first List of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereafter: Representative list) and
the criterias of shaping it was approved by the Government of Armenia on March 11, 2010.
Some 18 elements were represented in that list, including different types of intangible heritage,
e.g. food, folklore, dance and music, etc.
Few months later, on January 20, 2011 Government approved the Decree on Criteria’s for
Shaping the Urgent Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and the List of the Urgent
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. More 7 elements were added to the previously
approved list.
Started from year 2011 each year Government of the Republic approved the Annual Programs
for the Preservation, Protection, Promotion and Implementation of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This document defines short term tasks and responsibilities of the parties in duty, e.g. Ministry
of Culture and its bodies.
LISTED ELEMENTS
There are 18 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements listed in Representative list and 7 elements
in the list of intangible heritage elements under the consideration of being urgent. Two elements
are listed in the UNESCO’s World Intangible Heritage List, from which one is added also in the
list of Representative list of Armenia.

20. Illustration 1: Illustrations of Sasna Tsrer by H. Kojoyan
Page | 20
Representative list
1. Sasna Tsrer, Mythological poetry [See Illustration 1];
2. Kochari, Traditional dance;
3. Yarkhushta, Traditional dance;
4. Krunk, (transl.: Crane) type of song and singing, symbolism of migration and Diaspora;
5. Gatsek – Tesek, (transl.: Go and See) Song;
6. Batola, Dance music;
7. Armenian traditional wedding ceremony, 3-7 days long event;
8. St. Sargis Fest, Armenian “Valentine Day”, in January-February;
9. Trndez, Fire jumping [See Illustration 2], in February;
10. Vardavar, Water throwing day, each year second (in some places last) Sunday of July;
11. St. Tevatoros, Local cult for remedies;
12. Tukh Manuk, Local cult for remedies;
13. Katiki bardzratsum (transl.: Throat lifting), type of singing and massage of throat of child;
14. Khavits, Food boiled flour, good for young mother after giving birth;
15. Decoration of Tari hats (transl.: “Tari” means Year, Hats means bread), Mythological and
religious ornamental decoration of traditional Tari bread during cooking process;
16. Traditional forging (blacksmith);
17. Traditional Khachkar (Cross-stone) making [See Illustration 3];
18. Family (lineage) tree.

21. Illustration 2: Fire jumping Festival in Lovers’ Park Yerevan, photo by V. Abgaryan
Page | 21
Urgent Safeguarding
1. Karose Khache, Mythological poetry;
2. Vijak (transl.: Condition), Song for selection for games;
3. Avetis (transl.: Good news), Type of song and/or singing;
4. Khachbure (transl.: Cross smels), Local cult for protection;
5. Barekendan, Armenian “Halloween”;
6. Tightrope dance (Rope walker);
7. Fancywork
UNESCOS Representative List
1. The Duduk and its Music
Presented on 2005, included in the list on 2008
2. Armenian Khachkar (Cross-stone) art, its symbolism and craftsmanship3
Presented on 2005, included in the list on 2010 [See Illustration 3]
3
It is included in the Representative list

22. Illustration 3: Khachkar (Cross-stone) in Haghartsin Monastery Complex, photo by S.
Petrosyan
Page | 22
INTANGIBLE TAVUSH
Based on the site visits and interviews with state officials (Dilijan, Teghut and Hovk), individuals
in charge of preservation of cultural heritage (Gosh), elder residents (Gosh and Dilijan) and
based on some published researches above mentioned intangible elements on local (regional)
level in Tavush has been discovered which are worth to be mentioned.
Folklore
There is a legend about white buffalos living deep under the water in Gosh Lake. There are
different stories about beautiful women kept by those buffalos; some corner stone’s protected by
them, etc.

23. Illustration 4: Gosh lake, photo by S. Petrosyan
Page | 23
Goshavank monastery situated in central part of Gosh village is dated back to 12th-13th
centuries. The name of the complex comes from Mkhitar Gosh, who is author of first Armenian
criminal code and some other fables. The monastery complex has one of the only remaining
book depositories of that period and a ruined school. It means that it was an important
educational and religious center. Based on one of the stories that were told for centuries, in 14th
century after one of the Tatar Mongolian invasions the burning process of more than 10’000
copies of books took one week.
Local cults
The tomb of Mkhitar Gosh which is located not far from Monastery complex for many years was
a local cult. There was a belief that it had spiritual energy and remedies impotency.
Food
Dolma (stuffed vegetable dishes, which is as well a common dish for the habitants of Balkans
and Middle East) is considered a local dish. They wrap it with leaves of Koli tree.

24. There are variety of marinated (pickled) greens, e.g. Asparagus (in Armenian Tsnebek), Portula
(in Armenian Dandur), Okra (in Armenian Bamia), Liliy (in Armenian Shoushan), Beet (in
Armenian Jakndegh), etc.
Page | 24
Ghaurma is another dish which is very popular in all parts of Armenia. It is cooked beef meet
with butter, that is kept in the same butter for quite long period. Most commonly they keep it in
earthen pots. In this region they keep in “Tik”, which is a bag made from beef’s skin.
Illustration 5: Traditional Vardavar fest at Haghartsin Monastery, photo from
touradvice.am
Fests
From festives the most common one is Vardavar. In this region of Armenia they celebrate it last
Sunday of July, but in other parts of Armenia and also Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates
Vardavar second Sunday of July.
For celebration they used to play Horse-ride (collecting food sitting on a horse) and Snow
collection (in Teghut village) for deep caved gorges of mountains, also tightrope dancers mostly
from Ararat Valley (Central part of current Armenia), dances and music.

25. The most famous and traditional food is Sali (Flour, Butter, Sour Cream, etc.). There were
habits of also preparing Konchogh (Bread, Onion, Oil, Butter and Egg), Lambs Blood (Fried
Lamb’s blood, Onion and Oil), and traditional Armenian dishes, such as Khorovats (Barbeque), Page | 25
Khashlama (lamb stew), etc.
SUMMARY
This very quick study was done by mapping and discovering the intangible cultural heritage of
Tavush region more substantially and understandably. Even from the first insights we
discovered that there is a strong need of doing/re-doing such research for studying the local
traditions deeper and in more detail.
Despite the fact that the region is popular travel destination in Armenia for its climate and
cultural heritage, it is important to develop some unique traditions for developing of new types of
tourism and attracting newcomers.
One of the recommendations can be to design and establish a platform for sharing traditions
and developing a network for connecting the local people holding traditions with the people with
entrepreneurial ideas.
REFERENCES
(Based on alphabetical order)
 Law on Basics Cultural Legislation, www.laws.am
 Law on Intangible Cultural Heritage, www.laws.am
 List of Elements Intangible Cultural Heritage of Armenia, www.mincult.am
 List of Urgent Safeguarding Elements Intangible Cultural Heritage of Armenia,
www.mincult.am
 Strategy on safeguarding and preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage, www.gov.am
 UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage,
www.unesco.org
 Work plan and schedule for safeguarding and preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage,
www.gov.am
Notes
 This is not a Scientific Report.
 The Author does not have intention to present the full information on the subject.

26. 3. Challenges and conservation of Tangible and Intangible heritage in historic
center: cases studies in Andalusia (Spain).
Page | 26
Challenges and conservation of Tangible and Intangible heritage in historic
center: cases studies in Andalusia (Spain)
1. Introduction. Andalusia
2. Diffuse city versus compact city. Concepts
3. Why to rehabilitate the historic city?
4. Urbanism, heritage, culture and sustainable development. Tangible and intangible heritage
5. Sustainable Development Strategies
6. A new model of urban management

27. 1. Introduction. Andalusia
Andalusia is located in southern Europe and it is a bridge between the European and the Page | 27
African Continent its situation is therefore strategic and this product has a rich urban and
heritage culture, thanks to a multitude of factors that have shaped the history of Andalusia,
where Islamic traits persist in our cities both in urban and in many cultural aspects and lifestyles
associated with the Mediterranean.
Andalusia’s very balanced city system is based on a network of unpolarize cities, and one or
two major urban centers as in other regions of Europe. This situation gives Andalusia, a variety
of urban environments very rich and varied.
Andalusia has nine sets urban regional center level, complemented by a system of medium-
sized cities and networks of towns in rural areas that ensure a stable settlement distributed
throughout its territory.
This system of cities, represents one of its main social and economic heritage. At the same
time, it has some defining characteristics that give it an unique position to adapt its structure to
the requirements of sustainability, such as its polycentricity, social and functional diversity and
compactness.
2. Diffuse city versus compact city. Concepts.
The compact city, complex, efficient, cohesive is where we meet the parameters of
environmental sustainability, energy and economic exploitation of its natural resources.
Sustainability must be not just environmental but democratic. Democracy is based on the active
participation of the population. In order for neighborhoods to be regenerated, they should be full
of life.. The metabolism of the city should be driven by its inhabitants.
This Mediterranean city model has been transformed in the last 25 years, embracing another
model imported from other cultural areas, based in the creation of a diffuse city and that
functionally separates and segregates the population into the territory based on their economic
capacity.
The dispersion causes an unsustainable growth model that creates the following negative
impacts: To reduce natural spaces, to break the proximity trading system, a detachment
towards everyday spaces, a loss of social cohesion, increased mobility needs or increased
energy expenditure, water consumption or rate of generation of waste. This type of city
provokes increased consumption of resources: land, materials, water and energy. This is a
trend that continues as the opposite path to urban sustainability.
Currently our historic districts and neighborhoods in the Andalusia cities have different
challenges that need to be redirected, especially in these times of economic crisis. The
rehabilitation and renovation projects in cities are the best stimulus to create micro job but at the
same time, consolidate the compact city as living space.

28. The regeneration of the built city, its neighborhoods and historic centers, must recover the level
of quality that it once had, because only then it will regain its status as a city, according to the
Page | 28
Mediterranean tradition, meaning, compact, functional socially and economically diversified
cities, which contribute avoid indiscriminate expansion processes and consumption of our
natural resources and heritage.
Intervention is a process that have as principle to keep the resident population as the best way
to preserve its condition of city, by urban and social rehabilitation improves quality of life,
mobility, employment and business opportunities, coexistence, integration social in equal
opportunities, etc.
And in this sense, the rehabilitation of historic centers is part of a sustainable growth model,
because it ensures urban development that preserves the environment and provides quality of
life to its inhabitants, leveraging existing resources in our cities and recovering their spaces so
that all citizens can live with dignity from equity and social justice. The urban and social
rehabilitation of our cities aims to create a more livable city model, with services, facilities and
quality public spaces, which ultimately define a more welcoming and nice city.
3. Why to rehabilitate the historic city?
Historic cities of Andalusia, generally share the same problems in terms of urban, economic and
social degradation such as:
Housing and historic residential typologies have undergone numerous transformations because
they have been busy courtyards and galleries, and so have increased the number of housing
with little or no maintenance, physical degradation, loss of habitability. This causes a migration
of the native population. Nearly empty buildings coexist with others with real situation of
overcrowding, both with a high physical and social deterioration.
Depopulation: Urban centers have some of the lowest densities throughout the city. Hosting an
increasing aging population, the representatives of the residents themselves have noted the
shift that is occurring in the population of these neighborhoods to other areas of the city,
especially the new urban development or metropolitan area. (gentrification processes)
The difficulty of access and mobility, and lack public facilities that meet the current needs of the
population such as senior centers, day care centers, sports facilities, local shops etc.
4. Urbanism, heritage, culture and sustainable development. Tangible and
intangible heritage.
The intervention model to regenerate the historic centers must have a comprehensive and
inclusive approach where urban strategies are measured in relation to the social, economic,
heritage and functional usage... We are convinced that the first challenge is to give life to

29. historic cities and activities in order to improve economic development.
Joining heritage conservation measures and economic activities in relation to its population.
Page | 29
The revitalization of the city should be made based on searching a critical reconstruction of the
city considering the improvement of urban living, integration and social cohesion and
sustainable development, through participatory processes involving the whole city.
The critical reconstruction of the city is paradoxically to accept the ability to evolve and to
change, from which the city life depends, and to ensure the viability of its conservation. To admit
intelligent transformation which preserve their values does not mean the extreme conservation.
Restoration can be understood in its broadest sense, as an instrument capable of updating the
original creative act and to create a city to live, to use for leisure of those who visit us, aiming to
revitalize the company and to provoke synergies.
The heritage of a city is not only tangible values such as its buildings, facades, urban space,
landscape, building types... but also it is linked to lifestyles, traditions, folklore, customs, cultural
values, it is to say: Intangibles values
To regenerate residential buildings respecting their typological values such as neighboring
houses, courtyard houses, etc., is at the same time to protect lifestyles associated with those
buildings. If older people who have historically lived in these buildings are protected and they
continue to live in these buildings, this is somehow to continue the social and historical memory
of the city. The arrival of new families with children will enable the transmition of this knowledge
from generation to generation.
Sustainable development in the historic city is often associated with tourism. This discussion of
the historical cities and tourism is a hot topic for several reasons. Firstly because it is a
negligible source of income in historic cities. Tourism has become a promoter of the economy,
and without these resources many of them would be to seriously damage their waterline.
On the other hand, to take over this market it is needed to compete for it, and to define
strategies for this means to design complex projects to materialize the physical structure,
heritage, economic and social bases of the cities.
The questions are simple to ask: What type of tourism do we want to capture?. What should we
offer?. How can we make the most of this potential?. The answers are complex and must be
adapted to the circumstances of each city with validated methodologies for the experiences and
best practices of other cities.
Cultural-heritage-tourism can be a good combination to revalue the city, although we should
target a tourism that looks for the quality and authenticity, which is called motivational tourism,
and which is quantitative smaller than the one generated by the tour-operators. However this
kind of tourism-cultural that interests us make our historic cities attractive because it puts into
value their greater spending power and lower environmental impact, and targets a visitor who is
an experienced traveler and who demands quality and authenticity.
The historic city wants this cultural tourism, which is outside of the big tour-operators, and which
is based on autodidactic approach, and which investigates the city and its cultural events. It is

30. also mixed in its activities (gastronomic, entertainment, folklore, cultural), and sets its own
routes and heritage itineraries of those who are eager for knowledge... It is the visitor who will
spend the night in the city, with high purchasing power, respectful with city, and probably will
Page | 30
repeat visits and thus can become a frequent regular temporary citizen.
If we know our ideal tourist profile, we have to ask ourselves what must we do to attract him?.
Each city must give the right answer to this question, as we have commented, by applying
quality criteria based on diversity, authenticity, sustainability, which are necessary and essential
to not break values and to allow the city the balance between economic development and the
active protection of its heritage and urban activity that occurs on a day to day of a pulsating city
living.
5. Sustainable Development Strategies
The city must build projects and actions related to urban sustainability. This means among other
things to build a new approach for integrating deep-urban policies and route. Cities have
been formed over time so it is impossible to use short term schedules to create regeneration
strategies. .In short, they must be actions schedules on a medium-long term which in many
cases will take over 10 years (They are projects that exceed the 4-year term, so the haven´t
immediate electoral returns).
At the same time we want to insist on a concept that is not easily understood when you have the
responsibility to change the reality of a neighborhood or a city's urban center. The weakness
(problems) of a city or an urban area, are both an opportunity to turn problems-weaknesses into
opportunities, living a new approach to our actions, strategies and projects.
The problems are not unique to a single discipline, and we explain the physical degradation of
an urban area, as is the loss or destruction of buildings of great historical value, not only with
solving the rehabilitation of those buildings, but assuming that there are other problems behind
such as: social, under the area's economic development, insecurity, urban decay, gentrification,
loss of resident population, emigration and / or eviction of the population to other areas etc.
Therefore an urban regeneration project has to take into account all the multiple actions of the
various measures that have to be made, while striving at the same time create in the city the
following:
 Changing mindsets both citizenship and in local government and civic organizations
 Generate active knowledge about the values of the city (tangible and intangible).
 Innovate urban management
 Active Participation and responsible citizenship and their organizations
 Rediscover neighborhoods / historic centers, key elements of a Living City

31. 6. A new model of urban management.
Page | 31
We must build a management model based on:
 Integrality: Addressing jointly coordinated and planned the necessary actions to
address the problems of the city, looking for the potential of the city and the people.
 Territoriality: Having the territory. Generate solutions adapted to the territory both in the
organizational model, resources and methodology.
 Participation: It is necessary the presence and involvement of the residents to decide
what neighborhood/city want.
Integral Rehabilitation thus becomes one of the priority objectives of any urban sustainability project on
the conviction that, creating new neighborhoods (with criteria environmental/ecological), is as important
as recovering the existing ones. In the following scheme you can see what we are discussing:
Actions
Improvement of urban
Pedagogy of habitat
Integral Rehabilitation Actions of social community Objective live in a
Historic Center and to value the urban heritage more habitable city
Neighbourhoods Cultural Tourism
Sustainable development.
Other Actions
Public management.
Participation.
Cooperation between administrations
This project is integral and integrated in order to regenerate the city. Integral in the sense of
the confluence of the actions described above. Integrated because we address the problems
with perspective and interdisciplinary methodology, aiming at solving the problem... In short, the
comprehensive rehabilitation project aims to define a new way of doing and understanding the
city, from cohesion, sustainability and urban and social integration. We intend to define a
participatory way with the new intervention strategies in the city, that suit the current urban,
social and economic requirements: the rights of citizens and the city.
To make this "urban challenge", you need to modify the background and the way to act. This is
a new and most innovative model/type of urban management, which should be always alive and
evolving, adapting to a problem that it is real and complex, our actions should be aimed at
solving the problems: physical, economic and social aspects of the city. So this new urban
management should be: flexible, adapted to the specific needs of each region and
neighborhood, acting from knowledge, having critical vision (learning from mistakes), agility in
managing rehabilitation programs and their financing allowing be efficient and effective ...

32. Action Programs (Strategic Plan, Development Plans, Urban Plans...) are the required
documents for planning actions that would be carried out in building the city. The intervention in
an urban area as complex and difficult is being done through deep knowledge of the urban,
Page | 32
social, and economic heritage. We need to "know" in order to diagnose and plan the necessary
solutions that enable the city to recover fully with the active participation of residents,
enterprises and social collectives.
The methodology is based on a comprehensive intervention in which neighbors and citizen
participation are the protagonist. The intervention, is therefore defined as the ability of these to
influence the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies aimed at improving their
life conditions.
We have several reasons for doing so, the neighbors are the ones who know the reality and the
problems of the neighborhood, moreover while taking part in decisions and their
implementation, residents also are responsible for the intervention project, increasing their self-
esteem and project ownership and then it is possible between all to improve the neighborhood.
This contributes to the reinvention of local identity, something very complex in these
neighborhoods, and to convert weakness into strength.
Unlike during the 80’s, today it is unthinkable acting in these areas in a disaggregated or partial
way, and the concept of Living City and/or Integrated City is gaining ground in all forums and
professionals, based on the pillars of, rehabilitating peripheral neighborhoods and urban centers
(historical), through public management which integrates all agencies or departments, (whether
municipal, regional or central), with responsibility in these areas: urban, social, security, is the
way to actions continue to be sustainable over time.
Definitely urban regeneration is: Comprehensiveness, Territoriality and Participation is a new
tool available to create new opportunities in the city, and this way to recover: the city for
citizens.
Notes
 This is not a Scientific Report.
 The Author does not have intention to present the full information on the subject.