The Committee,
- Having examined document LHE/21/16.COM/7.a,
- Recalling Chapter V of the Operational Directives and its Decision COM 10.a.6,
- Expresses its appreciation to Portugal for submitting its first report on the status of the element ‘Manufacture of cowbells’, 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;
- Takes note of the efforts described in the report submitted by Portugal to safeguard the element through promoting the element, raising its visibility and favouring international networking among cowbell makers, however expresses its concern for the continued threats to the viability of the element, in particular the severe decrease in the number of master cowbell makers;
- Invites the State Party to strengthen its efforts to address the threats of extinction of the element, by developing strategies to enhance inter-generational transmission of the element and generate benefits for its bearers and broader communities, and to integrate these into the updated safeguarding plan;
- Further takes note of the efforts of the community members, organizations and institutions to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and the intention to assess the impact of the pandemic on the transmission of the element;
- Encourages the State Party to further support local, regional and international networking, collaboration and exchange of safeguarding measures among cowbell makers and relevant stakeholders;
- 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.