Intangible cultural heritage is not limited to monuments and to collections of objects but it also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our forefathers and conveyed to our descendants. These expressions include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivities, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and traditional craftsmanship.

Intangible cultural heritage is not limited to monuments and to collections of objects but it also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our forefathers and conveyed to our descendants. These expressions include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivities, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and traditional craftsmanship.

Intangible cultural heritage is not limited to monuments and to collections of objects but it also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our forefathers and conveyed to our descendants. These expressions include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivities, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and traditional craftsmanship.

In spite of its fragileness, intangible cultural heritage is a critical factor in preserving cultural diversity against the growing globalization through the promotion of dialogue between cultures and the respect towards other ways of life. Its value lies not only on the cultural manifestation by itself, but on the wealth of knowledge and techniques conveyed from one generation to the other.

Thanks to the application of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a large number of activities are being implemented in the region to contribute to the safeguarding of such a rich heritage. UNESCO, its Offices and stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean have contributed to this purpose through capacity-building programmes, as well as supporting events and actions implemented by the Member States. The projects listed below are among the most recent actions.