Against All Odds: Keeping Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Arab World Vibrant

Abstract

Arab countries comprise communities and groups that are socially and linguistically diverse and different in size and prevalence. They have lived with rich manifestations of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) that have interacted through history and continue to interact with the political, social, economic, and environmental surroundings. Multiple languages and dialects are also spread among these communities, representing a vehicle through which ICH is transmitted. This contribution briefly presents and evaluates the concept of ICH, and how it began to come to the attention of legislative, academic and institutional circles in the Arab countries, and summarizes the most important achievement related to the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for safeguarding ICH. Some recommendations that are expected to contribute to safeguarding ICH in a sustainable context for the benefit of communities and their social and economic well-being are proposed.