Misteri Play d’Elx. World Heritage

Misteri Play d’Elx. World Heritage

What is World Heritage?

In 1972, UNESCO’s General Conference approved the creation of an International Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Having come into force in 1976 after the entry of its twentieth state, its aim is to preserve those places which, due to their historical, cultural or natural value, are an asset of universal importance. Those countries that ratify the agreement commit themselves to preserve the places in their territory already considered to be heritage sites. Furthermore, the convention also establishes the co-responsibility of Member States with regard to the undertaking of pertinent actions that guarantee the conservation of common Heritage at a global level.

The places that are designated World Heritage Sites are of transnational importance and together constitute a set of values that bring together history and tradition, art and culture, nature and biodiversity, the history of civilisations and religions and nature conservation.

All World Heritage Sites are unique and irreplaceable. The global community must make a serious effort to conserve them so that they can be transmitted to future generations.

The number of sites considered as World Heritage increases annually by decision of the World Heritage Committee. Since this UNESCO body was formed, the list of Protected Sites has grown to include sites from all parts of the globe. Indeed, it is this universal character that makes it so special.

What is Oral and Intangible Heritage?

For many peoples their intangible heritage is a vital, deeply-rooted source of their historical identity. Philosophy, values and ethical codes as well as manners of thinking transmitted by oral traditions, languages and different cultural manifestations are at the very foundations of community life. The ephemeral nature of this intangible culture makes it particularly vulnerable.

Our intangible heritage is enormous and affects every human being since every human being is the carrier of his or her community’s heritage. The safeguarding of this heritage must spring from individual initiative and receive the support of associations, specialists and institutions; only then will it be taken into consideration by national authorities. UNESCO is present to give help when requested to do so by a Member State.

Everything produced by humanity is the fruit of their genius and creativity, skills and knowledge being transmitted and improved from individual to individual and from generation to generation. Our intangible heritage permeates all aspects of an individual’s life and is present in all examples of cultural heritage – objects, monuments, sites and scenery.

Through its different activities, the objective of the Intangible Heritage Unit belonging to UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage Division is to serve as the link between the safeguarding of tangible heritage and the conservation of intangible heritage.

UNESCO’s Declaration of the Elche Mystery Play as World Oral and Intangible Heritage

On May 18th 2001, UNESCO’s Director General proclaimed the first 19 Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage.

Four were presented by countries from the continent of America: the language, dances and music of Gafuna in Belize (with the support of Honduras and Nicaragua); Bolivia’s Oruro Carnival; the cultural space of the Holy Spirit of the Congos from Villa Mella in the Dominican Republic; and the Zápara people’s oral heritage and cultural manifestations from Ecuador and Peru.

Three African cultural spaces and means of expression were also recognised: the Gelede oral tradition from Benin (supported by Nigeria and Togo); the Afounkaha Gbofe: the transversal trumpet music of the Côte d’Ivoire’s Tagbana Community; and the cultural space of Sosso Bala in Niagassola (Guinea).

In Asia, UNESCO recognised six masterpieces: China’s Kunqu Opera; India’s Kutiyattam Sanskrit Theatre; the Nôgatu Theatre in Japan; the royal ancestral rites and ritual music of the holy site of Jongmyo in Korea; the Hudhud chants from Ifugao in the Phillipines and the cultural space in the Boysun region of Uzbekistan.

Five examples of intangible European heritage were recognised: Spain’s Elche Mystery Play; Georgia’s polyphonic singing; Sicily’s marionette opera (Italy); Lithuania’s cross crafting and its symbolism and the Russian Federation’s Semeiskie oral culture and the cultural space.

In the Arab World, the cultural space of Morocco’s el-Fna Djamaa square was also recognised.