Paper short abstract:

The paper analyses the adaptation of contemporary concept of intangible heritage in Lithuanian cultural policy and legislation, the specific problems of its registration and protection. Also the problems of international standardization and heritage science cooperation with ethnology are discussed.

Paper long abstract:

The paper deals with the problem of recognition and indigenization of the globally spreading concept of intangible heritage. The contemporary processes of globalization are leading to glocalisation in which, as Tim O'Riordan hopes, balance between the local and global will be found. The Lithuanian case shows the example of active attempts of particular enthusiasts of intellectuals, economists, businessmen, law makers and politicians to adopt on national levels the idea of intangible heritage and reinforce the life of traditional culture.

This presentation aims to show the ways of the adaptation of universal concept of intangible heritage in Lithuanian national cultural policy and legislation: a) the forms of recognition and legislation by authorities of this kind of heritage; b) "discovering" of new objects for a protectable heritage; c) searching for rational ways of intangible heritage protection, registration and living tradition reinforcing in the cultural policy; d) an interconnection between the intangible heritage protection and the national science and education policies.

The indigenization of intangible heritage concept at national level is mostly realized by the laws of "The Protection of Ethnic Culture" and "The National Heritage Product". Hard political discussions about the tangible and intangible heritage protection policy differences or similarities have started. The registration of intangible heritage according to UNESCO guidelines and National Heritage Product law now is in process. But the lack of international standards for intangible heritage protection and seclusion of heritage science from the complex cooperation with ethnology and folkloristics still is a big challenge for successful process.