A Ukrainian delegation, headed by Anastasia Bondar, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications for Digital Development, Transformation, and Digitalization, received certificates for the inclusion of two elements in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in Asunción, Paraguay, on December 6.
This significant milestone for Ukraine took place during the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Thus, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity now includes the first international element from Ukraine, submitted jointly with Estonia, “Pysanka: Ukrainian Tradition and Art of Decorating Egg”. This list already features three Ukrainian nominations: “Petrykivka Decorative Painting as a Phenomenon of the Ukrainian Ornamental Folk Art” in 2013, “The Tradition of Kosiv Painted Ceramics” in 2019, and “Ornek, a Crimean Tatar Ornament and Knowledge About It” in 2021.
Additionally, the nomination “Safeguarding Program of Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition” has been included in UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage, marking Ukraine’s first nomination in this category.
Anastasia Bondar noted that international partners showed genuine enthusiasm for Ukrainian cultural elements, eagerly asking for stories and explanations. “We brought an extensive collection of pysankas to the conference, which allowed us to highlight the rich diversity of our egg-decorating tradition and artistry. Our delegation also included Taras Kompanichenko, a master of the kobza and wheel lyre tradition, who showcased traditional instruments and performed a Cossack duma during the announcement of the voting results”, underscored the Deputy Minister.
The inclusion of Ukrainian egg-decorating traditions and the Safeguarding Program of Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition in UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage enhances global interest in Ukrainian traditions and fosters international support for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
Ukraine participated in the work of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the first time after being elected as a member in June 2024.
