The exhibition presents more than 100 photos featuring oral traditions, traditional music, dance and theatre, social practices, rituals and festivals, as well as traditional knowledge and skills that communities and groups around the world receive from their ancestors and pass on to their descendants. The selection refers to the 90 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity proclaimed by UNESCO between 2001 and 2005 as well as other recent initiatives supported by UNESCO for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Visitors can explore diverse expressions of intangible heritage, such as the popular carnivals in Bolivia and Belgium, classical forms of Japanese or Indian theatre, polyphonic singing from the Central African Republic, Georgia and Albania as well as cultural spaces, like the Kihnu Island of Estonia and the Jemaa-el-Fna Square in the city of Marrakech in Morocco.
We wish to thank the communities concerned, the Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, as well as the researchers and institutions worldwide involved in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage for their kind cooperation.
This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Japan, with additional support from Samsung.