Celebrating Scotland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
Museum Development Manager for Collections and Interpretation at MGS, Jacob O’Sullivan, shares some of the key highlights from the ICH in Scotland Conference held in Perthshire this month, which welcomed over 100 delegates from across the museum and heritage sector.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage in Scotland Partnership came together to host the ICH in Scotland Conference at the beautiful Birnam Arts Centre on 1st November, recognising an opportunity to celebrate the breadth and variety of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Scotland, and identify areas for prioritised support.
The partnership, consisting of Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), and Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland (TRACS), meets regularly, and aims to support the safeguarding and development of ICH in Scotland. This year, the UK Government ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, becoming the 183rd country to do so.
The all-encompassing nature of ICH means this important form of heritage reaches all sectors of the community and walks of life, as well as geographical locations. The partnership is keen to have a diverse and representative programme encompassing different types of ICH, providing opportunities to collaborate – a key strength of ICH support.
We were pleased to hear from Angus Robertson MSP – Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Scottish Government, and Sir Chris Bryant MP – Minister of State for the Department for Digital, Cultural, Media and Sport (DCMS) who reflected on the need for involvement from both the UK and Scottish Governments. Both outlined some of the key successes in supporting ICH in Scotland, such as the Community Stories Fund.
In Scotland and the rest of the UK, we are at a crucial point post-ratification of the convention. We can shape how we support ICH in line with the convention, making it essential to learn from good practice internationally. The keynote speaker, Pieter van Rooij from the Dutch Centre for ICH, shared valuable insights into the successes and challenges of safeguarding ICH which can inform our approach in Scotland. International collaborations will be vital for supporting ICH going forward.
Other presentations highlighted the diversity of ICH in Scotland. This included a creative project of Gaelic song from Mairi Callan; reflections from Janos Lang on Ando Glaso Roma Fest which celebrated Roma culture and highlighted the richness of Scotland’s multicultural heritage; an exploration of the Burry Man tradition of South Queensferry from Erin Farley; and a project exploring the impact of the Findhorn River and its tributaries on place names from Mairi McFadyen.
The second half of the presentations focused on policy and structural aspects, featuring Joanne Orr from Living Culture Development discussing ICH in Scotland post-ratification; Steve Byrne from TRACS launching the partnership-funding Craft Scotland report which outlines crafts at risk in Scotland; Johnnie Anderson from HES on ICH at Risk; and Judith Hewitt from Dumfries and Galloway Council on how museums can use ICH to further meaning from objects.
The conference was a wonderful, timely, and inspiring event, with thoroughly engaged attendees. One thing is clear: ICH in Scotland is in good, enthusiastic hands. Now more than ever, we need to work together to ensure intangible heritage is recognised as equally significant as tangible heritage and material culture.
