Paper short abstract:

Looking at the Greek migrants, and the heritage policies of Greek Ministry of Culture influenced by ongoing Greek austerity, this ethnographic paper will discuss the complex mobility of individuals and ICH in relation to tourism and home-making.

Paper long abstract:

During the ongoing Greek austerity, Greek Ministry of Culture (MoC) considers Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) as a tool to contribute to the Greek economy. Based on this, the MoC has created a strategy focusing on the promotion of agro-food products and techniques as well as other traditional crafting techniques by inscribing them on an ICH list (national or international). The aim is that the inscriptions will become leverage for other public mechanisms (such as Erasmus+ funding) that will create new jobs for the communities and enhance the visibility of the communities that practice these ICH elements in order to attract more tourism strengthening the commerce and local economy.

Furthermore, the same elements recognised as ICH, are also practised by Greek migrants abroad, contributing to the creation of a home-like feeling in their new environment. When this ICH is practised in public spaces or events, Greek migrants act as agents to disseminate ICH abroad, introducing others to it and motivating them to become participants at the place of its origin, thus promoting tourism in Greece. Therefore, this ethnographic paper will discuss the complex mobility of individuals and ICH in relation to tourism and home-making.