Alistair Hardaker
Image: Scottish highland dancing (CC BY 2.0 k4dordy)
Crafts, customs and celebrations to be considered as part of UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Communities across the UK are being invited to submit their most treasured traditions to a new inventory of living heritage.
DCMS has put out a call for crafts, customs and celebrations valued by communities, which will result in a UK-wide inventory.
The resulting inventory is hoped to help identify the economic value of traditions, and support efforts to grow this area of national life.
DCMS said living heritage encompasses practices passed down through generations, with examples including tartan weaving and dry-stone walling to cèilidh dancing or Gloucestershire’s cheese-rolling and Eisteddfodau or Burn’s night suppers.
It could also include traditions brought to the UK by immigrant communities, such as the Notting Hill Carnival and steel-drumming, it said.
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said activities such as Highland Dancing, and the carving of Welsh love spoons “form the rich tapestry of UK culture and identity”.
“These crafts, customs and celebrations are often what makes people feel proud of who they are, where they come from and where they live. They also boost local economies and businesses.
Submission must be made by the communities practicing the living heritage. Details on how to submit, including support and advice, can be found at www.livingheritage.unesco.org.uk.
Submissions will be accepted over the next four months, with the aim of launching the first inventory next summer.
This follows the UK Government ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage last year and a public consultation to inform the development of this inventory.
Submissions will be accepted under seven categories, which are: Oral expressions; performing arts; social practices; nature, land and spirituality; crafts; sports and games, and culinary practices.
Submissions for the inventory close Friday 27 March 2026.The UK wide inventory will be made up of four separate inventories of living heritage, one each for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – combining into a UK one.
