The Committee

1. Takes note that Romania has nominated Lad’s dances in Romania (No. 01092) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Lad’s dances are a genre of men’s folk dance in Romania practised in community life on festive occasions, such as weddings and holidays, as well as during stage performances. Each community has its own variants, all of which display virtuosity and harmonious combinations of movement and rhythm. A special role is assigned to the dance leader and coordinator who trains and integrates group members, while the second leader is selected for his skills as a performer and leads the dance. Dancers group themselves into groups of boys and men aged 5 to 70, which may include Romanian, Hungarian and Roma dancers. This aspect contributes to intercultural dialogue and provides a context for learning more about cultural diversity, by witnessing, for example, local performers dancing at regional events or by observing choreographic styles of different ethnic groups. All community members are bearers and practitioners of the element, and taking part in the dance, be it as performers or spectators, enhances social cohesion. Lad’s dances provide an opportunity for young men to strengthen their social status in traditional communities, particularly among girls and their families in anticipation of marriage.

2. Decides that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria:

R.1:   Lad’s dances serve as an expression of gender and of social and local identity, as well as a medium of intercultural communication in a multi-ethnic region; they are transmitted non-formally by observance and practice on festive occasions, as well as formally within organized dance groups;

R.2:   Inscription of the element could enhance visibility of the dance as a creative, artistic expression with an embodiment of various performing features, repertoires and tools for intergenerational and inter-ethnic binding that could encourage communities in other countries to recognize, value and safeguard comparable elements of their own intangible cultural heritage;

R.3:   Current and proposed safeguarding measures aim to ensure the viability of the element in its various contexts and were elaborated with the participation and assistance of community representatives and local non-governmental organizations; the commitment of local and central governments to support the safeguarding is also demonstrated;

R.4:   Cultural associations, community representatives, as well as bearers and practitioners of the element participated in various capacities in the nomination process and provided their free, prior and informed consent to the nomination;

R.5:   Since 2009, the element has been included in the Inventory of Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Romania, which is drawn up in conformity with Articles 11 and 12 of the Convention and maintained by the National Center for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture.

3. Inscribes Lad’s dances in Romania on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
4. Reminds the State Party that the concept of authenticity is not in line with the spirit of the Convention.