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A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has announced that a public consultation on the draft inventory of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Hong Kong (Draft ICH Inventory) was launched today (July 10) and the consultation will last for four months - until November 9.
The spokesman said the LCSD had commissioned the South China Research Center at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in August 2009 to conduct a territory-wide survey of ICH in Hong Kong, with a view to collecting research data for compilation of the first ICH inventory in Hong Kong. The survey has taken more than three years to complete.
According to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (the Convention) adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2003, the ICH is manifested in the following five domains: (a) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the ICH; (b) performing arts; (c) social practices, rituals and festive events; (d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and (e) traditional craftsmanship.
Over the past three years, the survey team conducted extensive research and field work on more than 700 survey cases. Taking into account the survey findings and the expert advice of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee (ICHAC), which comprises local academics, experts and community personalities, the survey team has drawn up a Draft ICH Inventory of 477 items for government reference.
The spokesman said the Convention stipulates that each "State Party" shall identify and define the various elements of the ICH present in its territory with the participation of communities, groups and relevant non-government organisations for the purpose of establishing an ICH inventory. The LCSD therefore wishes to engage the community in the compilation of Hong Kong's ICH inventory by collecting its views on the Draft ICH Inventory through a public consultation. The LCSD will attend meetings/briefings organised by various district organisations including the 18 District Councils and Heung Yee Kuk, and has uploaded the Draft ICH Inventory and the comment form onto the Hong Kong Heritage Museum website. Leaflets will be distributed to facilitate the submission of views by the public.
The spokesman added that the Government will consult the ICHAC again once the public's views have been gathered. It is expected that the first ICH inventory list for Hong Kong will be published by early 2014 after completion of all consultations.
The Draft ICH Inventory and the comment form are now available on the website of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/eng/cultural/survey.aspx). Members of the public are welcome to give their comments by completing the comment form and returning it by post to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Unit, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Shatin, New Territories, or by fax to (852) 2180 8222, or by email to kaylam@lcsd.gov.hk on or before November 9, 2013.
For enquiries, please call the Hong Kong Heritage Museum at 2180 8188.
Ends/Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:32
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