Intangible Heritage joins a network to continue the legacy of the Convention of Faro

The Convention of Faro celebrates, this Tuesday, 27th of October, 15 years since its signing, but its presuppositions, of tolerance and defense of culture, "remain very present". Therefore, a national network for Intangible Cultural Heritage will be created so that «these manifestations are not forgotten, but streamlined and valued».

The announcement was made by Ângela Ferreira, Secretary of State for Cultural Heritage, who participated, this Monday, 26 October, in the ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Convention of Faro, at Teatro das Figuras.

The creation of this network, which encompasses a strategy, is seen as another step in the ideals that were embodied in the Convention of Faro, the “first, at world level, which integrated both the material and the immaterial heritage”, speaking of its “preservation, enjoyment and individual responsibility that we all have”.

For tomorrow, the 27th of October, a second meeting of this network has already been scheduled, which incorporates Portugal's eight intangible cultural heritages from UNESCO: Fado, the Mediterranean Diet, which has the Portuguese representative in Tavira, Cante Alentejano, Falconry , the Barro de Estremoz, the Caretos de Podence, the Arte Chocalheira (Alentejo) and the Barro de Bisalhães.

«At this meeting, we are going to present a draft of what we want this strategy to be. Intangible Heritage are very important and rich manifestations at the national level, which represent what is the identity and cultural diversity of the entire territory and contribute to territorial cohesion, tourism potential, arts, crafts and knowledge that we do not want get lost with the departure of past generations», said Ângela Ferreira, speaking to journalists.

Ângela Ferreira – Photo: Flávio Costa | Sul Informação

This strategy is being carried out between the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage, the Regional Directorates of Culture, the National Commission of UNESCO, the entities promoting the eight intangible heritages of Portugal, but also with professionals who are experts in the area.

“There are four strategic axes: good governance, empowerment, the creation of networks and working together so that we have regional meetings, workshops, in a perspective of empowering the technical teams, but also the people who develop these events. We have a great diversity and it is important that we do not leave them forgotten and that, above all, we dynamize and value them as employment potential, even», framed the Secretary of State for Cultural Heritage.

One of the ideas is also “to create a campaign to raise awareness of this heritage and link up with research centres, universities, local authorities and civil society”.

By the end of the year, the goal is for the "network to be made official" so that, in 2021, "if the pandemic allows, we can hold a national meeting of these entities to flesh out these issues that we are working on."

As for the amounts to finance this network, "they will always be at the level of Community funding". «There are many axes in which we can get funds for the promotion, enhancement and dynamization of heritage», summarized Secretary of State Ângela Ferreira.

Moreover, the ceremony celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Convention of Faro it also joined Guilherme d'Oliveira Martins, who chaired the Committee responsible for drawing up this document, recalling the relevance of its assumptions.

“It is with emotion that I say that 15 years have passed, but the fundamentals are still very present. The pandemic allows us to understand what is relevant in society: ethical values and culture. Heritage is a present reality and in these times we have to understand that culture and cultural heritage are fundamental elements», he said.

As for Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Chamber of Faro, revealed that, on the 15th anniversary of this convention, the municipality does not want "only to mark the anniversary".

“We want to launch ideas that shape the responsibility that comes from the past and ensure that it is reflected in what is to come. It is, therefore, our intention, in the first half of next year, to implement initiatives that will re-associate Faro “to your” convention. And make it known to everyone: in the municipality, in schools, in public facilities, at events, on the streets and in communities», he concluded.

Photos: Flavio Costa | Sul Informação