The Committee

1. Takes note that Belarus has nominated Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District Gomel Region (No. 02088) for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

The negliubka textile tradition is a weaving and embroidery practice observed by a rural community in the Gomel region. It includes the creation of woven towels and clothing using a variety of techniques, such as cross-stitch weaving and embroidery. Negliubka towels are richly ornamented with complex colour combinations, geometric and floral patterns, and decorative fringes, while the traditional outfit is characterized by a white ornamented shirt, aprons, a woven shawl and accessories. The work is mostly practised by women, although men can also contribute.

2. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

U.1:   The knowledge and skills related to the element are typically passed down within families, especially from grandmothers and mothers to daughters. Transmission also takes place in formal settings, such as local craft centres and museums, which organize exhibitions, workshops and training. The negliubka textile tradition is a strong symbol of community identity and cultural pride. It contributes to the local economy by attracting visitors and increasing interest from cultural and academic institutions.

U.2:   The textile tradition is currently under threat due to the availability of simpler, less time-consuming technologies and a lack of public awareness and training. Practitioners are gradually ageing and have fewer people to whom they can transmit their knowledge, as youth are increasingly moving to cities.

U.3:   The safeguarding plan has three objectives: (a) to raise awareness among the public, the community and other stakeholders about the importance of the element and the urgent need to safeguard it; (b) to encourage the emergence of a new generation of artisans within the community; and (c) to describe and document samples and techniques involved in the traditional weaving process.

U.4:   The bearers of the cultural element participated in the process of formulating the nomination request and producing the documentation for the nomination file. This process was launched in 2021 and involved meetings, field surveys and discussions organized by an executive committee, with the broad participation of individuals, groups and communities.

U.5:   The element is included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus and in the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Belarus. Information on how the inventories are updated and details on the involvement of communities in the inventorying process are included in the periodic report submitted in 2021.

3. Decides to inscribe Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District Gomel Region on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
4. Encourages the submitting State Party to implement a problem-solving safeguarding plan, involving the communities in its implementation and monitoring of its results, and more oriented to the specific, concrete element-related threat, seeking to find the ways in which the element could be adapted or integrated into the changed contemporary socio-cultural and economic reality;
5. Further takes note that Belarus has requested International Assistance in the amount of US$90,282 for the implementation of the safeguarding plan for Negliubka Textile Tradition of Vetka District Gomel Region (No. 02342):

To be implemented by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, this thirty-six-month project aims to safeguard and spread awareness of the negliubka textile tradition, a traditional weaving and embroidery practice observed exclusively by women. In addition to spreading awareness about negliubka and strengthening regional identity, the project will focus on disseminating practical knowledge about the element. It will be implemented in the Gomel region and will involve identifying and supporting existing weaving centres through in-kind support and training, creating opportunities for remote learning of the traditional hand-weaving techniques, conducting field research, and developing a publication on the different kinds of weaving patterns and techniques. The project will also involve organizing a festival and summer school programme, establishing an intangible cultural heritage centre, and coordinating professional development seminars. Beyond contributing to the viability of the negliubka textile tradition, this project is expected to increase the creative and socio-economic potential of local communities while motivating youth to take part in the practice. It will also increase the popularity of the tradition and its inclusion in formal and informal education systems while attracting international attention and supporting the region’s conservation plan and sustainable development strategy.

6. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the request responds as follows to the following criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:

A.3:   Several activities were outlined to achieve the three central objectives of the project. These activities are measurable and feasible, and focus on the women masters of the element. This approach increases the chances of engagement and the success of the proposed actions.

A.4:   The project has been designed to provide a basis for the sustainable development of local communities and to support the viability of the element, renewing interest in artisanal textile production and promoting the recognition of the element as a symbol of local identity at the international level. Thanks to activities aimed at strengthening the capacities of civil society and stakeholder groups, safeguarding measures are expected to continue independently in the future, without the need for further external financial support.

A.5:   The requesting State Party shares the cost of the activities for which assistance is requested, within the limits of its resources. The budget clearly distinguishes the amount requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund and the contribution of the State Party.

A.6:   Emphasis is placed on strengthening local capacities and community motivation, which are essential for the transmission of the practice to younger generations.

A.7:   The State Party benefited from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for two completed projects: (a) ‘Establishing the national inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of Belarus’ (US$133,600; December 2011 – October 2013) and (b) the implementation of the safeguarding plan for ‘Spring rite of Juraŭski Karahod’ (US$ 87,761, December 2020 – June 2024). The work stipulated by the contracts related to these projects was and is being carried out in compliance with UNESCO's regulations.

Paragraph 10(a): The project demonstrates a strong local and national coordination framework for safeguarding the element, with clear involvement from local authorities, cultural institutions and community members.

Paragraph 10(b): The assistance provided may encourage additional technical or financial contributions from public or private stakeholders as the project aligns with the regional development strategy.

7. Further considers that, from the information included in the file and the information provided by the requesting State Party through the dialogue process, the request responds as follows to the following criteria for granting International Assistance:

A.1:   The file demonstrates the community’s involvement in the nomination process, as local organizations, women, young girls and artisans actively participated in the project design. Practitioners initiated community consent, contributed expeditionary studies, provided traditional woven items for the collections of public institutions and were regular consultants for projects and events dedicated to the element. Although the State Party argues that the communities concerned will be involved in the safeguarding plan, by organizing training sessions, festivals and capacity-building activities, there is no information on how they will be involved in the monitoring processes or in evaluating the results of the proposed activities.

A.2:   The budget provided for the safeguarding project demonstrates a clear and coherent financial plan. It allocates funds to key activities that are central to the success of the project, such as updating equipment, organizing workshops and promoting the tradition through festivals.

8. Decides to approve the International Assistance request from Belarus for the implementation of the safeguarding plan for Negliubka Textile Tradition of Vetka District Gomel Region, and grants the amount of US$90,282 to the State Party to this end;
9. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance both before and during the course of the implementation of the project, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget, timelines and work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide sufficient justification for the expenditures;
10. Invites the requesting State Party to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted;
11. Commends the submitting State Party for recognizing the importance of youth engagement in safeguarding efforts;
12. Further encourages the submitting State Party to ensure community participation in all stages of safeguarding (initiation, activities, monitoring);
13. Takes note that the element may be shared by communities in the region and beyond and reiterates that inscription on the Lists of the Convention does not imply origin, exclusive ownership or intellectual property of intangible cultural heritage.