The UK has joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention and is asking people in Scotland to propose festive traditions for formal recognition on a new register of cultural heritage.
Suggestions of traditions from all over the UK are sought as the UK intends to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. This will protect crafts, practices and traditions which are a “key part of national life providing a sense of identity to communities”.
The government explains that traditions such as pantomime, St Andrews Day celebrations, Hogmanay, Burns Night and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe could qualify. As well as these examples of “intangible cultural heritage” passed down through generations crafts such as haggis making or kilt making are also proposed.
UK Government Minister for Scotland, John Lamont, said: “Hogmanay, Burns Night and ceilidh dancing are Scottish traditions celebrated across the world and now we will be able to give them recognition alongside those from around the UK as part of this international convention.
“I encourage communities across the country to nominate their local traditions that will be ratified and help to preserve them for generations to come.”
This will include the approach to how people will be able to nominate traditions, how they will be adjudicated, and any criteria that the nominated practices will need to meet before they are considered.
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