The Committee
- Takes note that Portugal has nominated Moliceiro boat: naval carpentry art of the Aveiro region (No. 02332) for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
The Moliceiro boat is a traditional wooden vessel originally designed for harvesting aquatic plants, an important economic activity for the practising community. Built using pine wood, these boats follow time-honoured shipbuilding techniques that have been passed down through generations. The shipbuilders use a special tool called the ‘pau-de-pontos’ to ensure precise construction measurements. Each Moliceiro boat is also decorated with four painted panels featuring drawings and captions that often carry a humorous or meaningful message. Today, the primary use of Moliceiro boats is for scenic rides along the waterways.
- 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 boat builders work mostly on their own, although they sometimes receive help from family members, apprentices or other boat owners. Once the boat is constructed, painters add the finishing touches, including the decorative panels and the shipbuilder’s emblem. Knowledge of Moliceiro boat construction is passed down through oral tradition within families and shipyards. In recent years, professional courses were created to teach the craft, but none of the course participants are currently active. Cultural spaces and events such as the Moliceiro regattas and panel contests help maintain the boat’s cultural significance, fostering community pride and unity.
U.2: Despite recent efforts to facilitate the licensing process of these boats and make the element more financially accessible, the number of practitioners has not increased in proportion. There are only five master boat builders – four of whom are over the age of 60 – and one master painter still working. In this context, the lack of successors presents a high risk of extinction in the nearest future.
U.3: The safeguarding plan is strongly focused on promoting and transmitting traditional know-how in the local community and in schools. It also provides for cooperation with research and sustainable tourism development projects. Five lines of action are proposed according to a feasible schedule that is compatible with the involvement of the bearers and other professionals.
U.4: Preparatory work for submitting the nomination began in 2019, with studies on the history and characterization of the processes associated with the construction and decoration of the Moliceiro boat. Since then, intensive research has been carried out, resulting in important documentation on the element. In addition, meetings have been held in eleven municipalities. As a result of a consultation and engagement process, the nomination gained significant support.
U.5: The element was included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022. The inventory is managed by the General Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture and is subject to ordinary review every ten years. Additional reviews within that period are possible whenever relevant changes are known.
- Decides to inscribe Moliceiro boat: naval carpentry art of the Aveiro region on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
- Encourages the submitting State Party to ensure that museum-type activities do not become the dominant aspect of implementing the safeguarding plan, compared to safeguarding and living heritage, and to place the main focus on the educational measures to urgently transmit the construction techniques from one generation to the next.