Decision of the Bureau: 20.COM 3.BUR 4.5

The Bureau,

  1. Recalling Article 23 of the Convention, as well as Chapters I.4, I.7 and I.14 of the Operational Directives relating to International Assistance requests,
  2. Having examined document LHE/25/20.COM 3.BUR/4 and the request for preparatory assistance no. 02456 submitted by Saint Lucia,
  3. Takes note that Saint Lucia has requested International Assistance in the amount of US$10,000 to prepare a nomination for The Flower Festivals of Saint Lucia (The ‘La Rose’ and ‘La Marguerite’ Festivals) to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

To be implemented by the Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO, this preparatory assistance request concerns the nomination of The Flower Festivals of Saint Lucia to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Celebrated annually on 30 August and 17 October, the Flower Festivals date back more than 250 years and have become a symbol of community resilience, particularly in the face of slavery. In addition to being an integral part of the local history and cultural identity, the festivals have strong religious and social significance for the practising communities. The Flower Festivals are divided into two flower societies – Lawòz (the rose festival) and La Magéwit (the marguerite festival) – each of which is comprised of several community groups. The preparatory assistance requested will support activities to facilitate the preparation of the nomination file, such as the organization of consultations with community members and other stakeholders to obtain their free, prior and informed consent for the nomination file.

  1. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02456, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:
Criterion A.1: The communities of the ‘Lawòz’ and ‘Magéwit’ flower societies will be involved in the preparation of the nomination file. These communities comprise more than twenty groups across the island. They will play an active role in the identification and inventory of the Flower Festivals. The request also includes meetings with stakeholders and community members to obtain their free, prior and informed consent and to present the nomination file for the element.
Criterion A.2: The amount requested by the State Party seems appropriate in relation to the proposed activities for the preparation of the nomination file to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Criterion A.3: The preparatory assistance will be used to support for the following activities: (a) the organization of a series of meetings to plan, coordinate and facilitate the implementation of project activities; (b) the organization of stakeholder meetings to obtain their free, prior and informed consent; (c) research and documentation; and (d) the production of audiovisual material for the nomination file.
Criterion A.4: The requesting State Party is committed to submitting a nomination for the possible inscription of the element on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The submission is expected before 31 March 2026 for possible inscription by the Committee at its twenty-second session, provided that the nomination can be included in the 2027 cycle, in application of the annual ceiling for the number of nominations and the priority system in force at the time of the submission.
Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 33 per cent (US$5,000) of the total amount of the project for preparatory assistance (US$15,000). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 67 per cent of the total amount of the project.
Criterion A.6: The project is expected to strengthen national capacities by raising awareness among community members about the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and by involving them in the inventory and documentation process. Furthermore, the project will facilitate the dissemination of knowledge concerning the organization of the Flower Festivals.
Criterion A.7: The requesting State Party has not previously received any financial assistance from UNESCO under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund of the 2003 Convention to implement activities in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
  1. Approves the request for preparatory assistance from Saint Lucia for the preparation of the nomination for The Flower Festivals of Saint Lucia (The ‘La Rose’ and ‘La Marguerite’ Festivals) in view of its submission for possible inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and grants the amount of US$10,000 to the requesting State Party to this end;
  2. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget and the work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide a sufficient justification of all the expenditures;
  3. Invites the requesting State Party to use Form ICH-05-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.

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