Vytsinanka, traditional art of paper cutting in Belarus

Inscribed in 2024 (19.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Vytsinanka is a traditional art of paper cutting that is practised in Belarus. Initially used for church interiors and icons, it is now used to decorate homes, cafés and offices, for the design of printed products (such as calendars and postcards) and in theatre sets and public spaces. Most artisans adhere to traditional techniques and forms. They use various methods of paper cutting, from cutting simple, symmetrical compositions with scissors to combining complex pieces using scissors and a chisel. Today, the art of vytsinanka performs a set of universal functions, including educational, aesthetic, communicative and therapeutic. A sense of identity is formed as bearers learn local paper cutting traditions and folk culture. Vytsinanka facilitates dialogue within the craft community and beyond. Masters demonstrate their abilities and creative techniques in various festivals, exhibitions and fairs, and families continue to use it as a means of creative self-expression, passing the practice down from generation to generation. Vytsinanka is also transmitted through formal and non-formal education institutions. As an art therapy practice, it contributes to the development of fine motor skills while promoting creative thinking. It is often taught to people with physical or mental disabilities, thus contributing to their rehabilitation and creative development.