The Phenomenon of Meadow Haymaking as Living Cultural Heritage
On the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage, October 17, tradition bearers and experts will gather in Brno to explore the phenomenon of manual meadow haymaking – a living heritage that connects history, ecology, and community memory.
The interdisciplinary conference will examine its historical, social and ecological dimensions and its role as living cultural heritage. Experts from ethnography, history, ecology, archaeology, sociology and anthropology will present research and case studies. Practitioners will share lived experience, traditional techniques and regional variants. The event aims to outline a methodology for identifying bearers, describe knowledge transmission and propose steps toward recognition of haymaking as an intangible cultural practice, while discussing conservation, biodiversity benefits and ways to engage wider publics.
Programme
08:30–09:00 Registration and welcome coffee
09:00–09:15 Opening remarks and introduction
09:15–09:20 Short organisational announcements
I. BLOCK: SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
09:20 Haymaking and the principles of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
09:40 System of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in the South Moravian Region
09:50 Hay-mowing competition in Kupres Strljanica
10:00 Comparison of haymaking in Horňácko in the 20th century and today based on
eyewitness testimony
10:10 Discussion
10:40 Coffee break
II. BLOCK: DEVELOPMENT OF HAYMAKING
11:00 Development of mowing tools and approaches to grass processing and their
reflection in literature
11:20 Ferdinand Bučina as a documenter of management of White Carpathian meadows
11:30 Specifics of meadow management in the village of Banské in Zemplín in the mid-20th
century
11:40 Haymaking and mowing implements; scythes from the Moravian Museum collections
11:50 Discussion
12:20 – 13:30 Lunch break
III. BLOCK: HAYMAKING AS LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY
13:30 Meadow care and its impact on biodiversity
13:50 Only with the scythe will our meadow bloom!
14:00 Discussion
14:30 Coffee break
IV. BLOCK: ORGANISATION OF HAYMAKING AS A SOCIAL EVENT
14:50 Haymaking as a tool for shaping a Community with Nature
15:10 Revival of manual haymaking traditions in Horňácko
15:20 Short break
15:30 Musical performance
15:40 Discussion
16:10 Musical performance
V. BLOCK: EXPERIENCES OF PRACTITIONERS
16:20 Slovak Mowers Association (SKoS) and its activities
16:40”Kosu bruš! and let the blade fall…”
16:50 Musical performance
17:00 Discussion
17:30 Ending
The event is organized by the Masaryk Museum in Hodonín, Czechia. Co-organizing partners include the Ethnographic Institute of the Moravian Museum, the Regional Workplace for Folk Culture of the South Moravian Region, and the Municipal Museum Veselí nad Moravou, all branches or departments linked to the Masaryk Museum.
Text as provided by the organiser(s).