The Living Heritage Entity of UNESCO wishes to pay tribute to the esteemed colleague Mirva Aranda Escalante, who sadly and most unexpectedly passed away.
Ms. Aranda was a distinguished lawyer and anthropologist at the London School of Economics in England. She was part of the Expert Council of the Political Participation Programme for Latin America of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Ms. Aranda was the Director (a.i.) of the Regional Centre of Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Latin America (CRESPIAL), based in Cusco, Peru. She made a great contribution to the work of the 2003 Convention and to the understanding of living heritage.
Through CRESPIAL, Ms. Aranda worked closely with UNESCO, greatly coordinating the preparation of the first-ever multinational international assistance request to the ICH Fund, aimed at safeguarding living heritage for African-descent in Central America and the Caribbean, joining coordinated efforts of nine States.
The Living Heritage Entity extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mirva Aranda Escalante and will remember and honor her commitment and enthusiasm for safeguarding living heritage. She will be greatly missed.