Manual bell ringing
Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
© Federazione Nazionale Suonatori Di Campane, Italy, 2023 In Spain and Italy, traditional manual bell ringing is a form of communication that is tied to the classification, acoustics and shapes of bells, bell towers and belfries, as well as to the knowledge, skills and techniques of the campanari (bell ringers, in Italian). The bells are played as musical instruments, individually or in groups, with distinct local styles and techniques. They are also used to tell time and as a means of communication, and are intricately linked to traditional festivals and celebrations. Transmission processes in Italy are similar to those found in Spain: the practice is passed on informally through hands-on practice, within families and through organizations. A master bell ringer (maestro campanero, in Italian) often volunteers to transmit the oral tradition, the acoustic sensitivity and the coordination of physical movements and gestures to apprentices. The practice is also transmitted formally through educational institutions, for instance to students of music and architecture. A language in and of itself, manual bell ringing marks the days of the communities, particularly during local events and religious festivals. It is tied to the communities’ sense of shared identity, history and emotions, and is perceived as a means of promoting intergenerational and intercultural dialogue.
