The IC had previously conducted a public consultation regarding the inscription of 12 items on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list. In response to PLATAFORMA, the Bureau explained that to understand the status and development of ICH items, it has been digitizing photographs and recording videos in recent years, which promote these items on the Macau Cultural Heritage website. In addition to written records, each item on the ICH website contains photos and videos that showcase intangible heritage dynamically, giving the public a more diverse perspective.
Recognition and Incentives
The Cultural Heritage Protection Law, which came into effect in 2014, articles 83 and 84 regulate the creation of awards “to recognize exceptional contributions to the protection of cultural heritage,” outlining the composition of the jury, application processes, objectives, conditions, and description of the awards, as regulated by an instruction from the Chief Executive (CE) and published in the Official Gazette.
The IC explains that it is creating these awards and has already consulted with the Cultural Heritage Committee (CPC) on the composition of evaluation panels, evaluation criteria, contents, award cycles, and application procedures. In response to PLATAFORMA, the Bureau stated that it is also preparing the procedures for the CE’s approval, as required by law. According to a press release, in December 2022, the IC consulted CPC members to refine the award criteria. In November of the same year, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture approved the “Guidelines for the Management of Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
Promotion Channels
The IC also reminds that the Cultural Development Fund continues to subsidize non-profit organizations in Macau annually to carry out activities and projects in the field of intangible cultural heritage, encouraging a variety of activities such as training courses, workshops, book publications, performances, exhibitions, festivals, and more. In its response to our newspaper, the IC stated that it continues to raise public awareness and support projects related to intangible cultural heritage, as well as conservation units, including thematic exhibitions, lectures, workshops, activities, and publications.
Finally, the IC declares its commitment to making full use of the various promotion channels available to disseminate intangible cultural heritage abroad. Over the years, it has invited various organizations to participate in festivals and artistic events, incorporating elements of intangible cultural heritage into various activities, providing spaces for events, displaying and promoting projects, building bridges for external promotion, and fostering exchanges of projects related to the intangible cultural heritage of Macau.
