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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 15, 2012

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Receives UNESCO Status

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has received observer status through UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for their work with intangible cultural heritage. The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today congratulated the foundation on receiving this prestigious honour.

“The work we are doing in Newfoundland and Labrador on safeguarding our living heritage is being recognized internationally,” said Minister Dalley. “In fact, we have the opportunity of becoming a global leader in the field of intangible cultural heritage. The accreditation through UNESCO is a step in this process. I commend the foundation for their dedication and tireless efforts, supported by Dale Jarvis, the foundation’s development officer for intangible cultural heritage. They are truly deserving of this privilege.”

As an accredited UNESCO observer, the foundation has the qualifications required to provide advisory services related to intangible cultural heritage. With this status, the foundation could be asked to evaluate nominations to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a list similar to World Heritage Sites, but intended for cultural treasures. In the past, UNESCO has recognized Chinese shadow puppetry, flamenco dancing, and the traditional Mediterranean diet as examples of the word's intangible cultural heritage.

“Having the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador accredited as an official observer of UNESCO's ongoing work in the field of intangible cultural heritage is an honour,” said Dr. Jerry Pocius, Chair of the foundation’s advisory committee for intangible cultural heritage. “It enables the province to share successes here with other groups from around the world, and confirms our status as one of the leaders in Canada working to foster the living traditions of ordinary people.”

The foundation’s work with intangible cultural heritage involves a variety of projects. A particular focus in this province has been working with groups and individuals in communities to safeguard their cultural traditions and knowledge, such as the Mummer’s Festival held every December in St. John’s. In addition, the foundation is currently working on a project to celebrate the role of “make and break” engines in the province and is also working with communities to collect oral history and place it on Memorial University’s Digital Archives.

For more information about UNESCO, visit: www.unesco.org/   and for more information about the foundation, visit: www.heritagefoundation.ca/ 

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Media contacts:

Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca 
Dale Jarvis
Development Officer, Intangible Cultural Heritage
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-739-1892 Ext. 2

2012 06 15                               9:35 a.m.

 
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