Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 16.COM 7.A.2

The Committee,

  1. Having examined document LHE/21/16.COM/7.a,
  2. Recalling Chapter V of the Operational Directives and its Decision COM 10.a.7,
  3. Expresses its appreciation to North Macedonia for submitting its first report on the status of the element ‘Glasoechko, male two-part singing in Dolni Polog’, inscribed in 2015 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which was initially due for submission by 15 December 2019;
  4. Takes note of the efforts described in the report submitted by North Macedonia to safeguard the element, in particular by mapping, documenting and promoting the element, enhancing capacity building and networking of its bearers, and fostering dialogue among various heritage communities at the local, national and international levels, which includes exchanging experiences on the safeguarding of similar inscribed elements;
  5. Further takes note of the efforts of community members, organizations and institutions to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, by planning online tools, workshops, concerts and other events to support the transmission of the element and the sharing of knowledge and skills associated with the element;
  6. Invites the State Party to continue providing institutional support to the bearers of Glasoechko, to build local capacities for developing and implementing safeguarding measures, and to develop educational activities for transmitting the element and enhancing respect for cultural diversity;
  7. Encourages the State Party to pursue establishing the ‘Centre for researching, documentation and safeguarding the Glasoechko singing’ and renewing the local festival of traditional singing and dancing in Dolni Polog, both envisaged in the safeguarding plan of the nomination of the element at the time of its inscription;
  8. Further encourages the State Party to raise awareness among the community concerned of the constant recreation of intangible cultural heritage, as defined in Article 2 of the Convention, and thus recognition of its changing character;
  9. Requests that the Secretariat inform the State Party at least nine months prior to the deadline of 15 December 2023 about the required submission of its next report on the status of this element.

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