The Committee,

1. Having examined document LHE/24/19.COM/6.a,
2. Recalling Chapter V of the Operational Directives and its Decision 14.COM 10.a.5,
3. Expresses its appreciation to Belarus for submitting, on time, its first report on the status of the element ‘Spring rite of Juraŭski Karahod’, inscribed in 2019 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
4. Takes note of the efforts undertaken by the State Party to safeguard the element, in particular by advancing its documentation and research, integrating its safeguarding in regional development plans, enhancing its visibility, attracting young participants, establishing a local traditions centre and an archive in Pogost, increasing the competencies of local cultural institutions, and strengthening the viability of the element;
5. Encourages the State Party to pursue its efforts to safeguard the element, organize educational activities, engage youth in the practice and promotion of the element, strengthen the involvement of bearers and local communities, and ensure respect for customary practices governing access to specific aspects of this heritage;
6. Invites the State Party to pursue its efforts to overcome current risks to the viability of the element, including the risks of de-contextualization and folklorization, and to heed the impacts of tourism on the safeguarding of the element;
7. Further invites the State Party to continue ensuring broad community participation, including bearers and practitioners of the element in updating, implementing and reporting on the safeguarding activities, and to provide information on the updated safeguarding plans in its next report;
8. Notes also that the project supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund through the International Assistance mechanism in 2019 was implemented according to the approved plan, and encourages the State Party to continue its fundraising efforts and to develop synergies among various funding sources.