Jan 15: UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists

UNESCO has a list of places that are designated as World Heritage Sites.

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation.

It also has a list of other less tangible assets which deserve some sort of protection because of their connection with a particular place or region. These run into the hundreds and include a huge range of events and activities which are 'unique' to a place or group, and need protection to avoid dilution - much like the PGI status awarded to some foods which could otherwise be copied.

These are called the Intangible Cultural Heritage of places.

This diagram lets you dive into the lists, or there is a more practical list here which can be searched.

As you can see from the screen grab above - the 'objects' on the list include costumes, handicrafts, family traditions and rituals as well as dance and poetry.

Music is very well represented on the list.

Have you experienced some of these less well known musical styles or events on your travels? Perhaps you've come across a festival that you weren't expecting and that wasn't promoted particularly, or spent the night in a club when a startling act plays music of a kind that you've never heard before.

Here's a few examples:

- Oud

- Irish harping and the Uillean pipes

- the Hardanger fiddle in Norway

- the Chinese zither (guqin)

- Fado in Portugal

Some of these may well get their moment on the blog as the year progresses.