Paper short abstract:

Drawing on research of two elements inscribed in the National register of ICH, the paper explores the effects of the inscriptions in communities: a growing difference in the understanding of the elements themselves and roles between the bearers, local authorities and experts.

Paper long abstract:

During the ten years since the beginning of the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 57 elements have been inscribed in the National Register in Serbia. Around 20 elements are actively practiced as part of the living heritage in Vojvodina, a province of Serbia. It can be seen that during the several years that have passed since the registration, there have been various changes in the relationships and roles of stakeholders, differences in the definition of risks and safeguarding measures, the motivation for involvement in safeguarding and the relationships of the bearers and the wider community.

Rural regions have undergone major demographic and economic changes over the last decades, and cultural heritage is regarded as a resource that provides hope for progress. The presentation will focus on examples of two elements: carpet (kilim) weaving in the village of Stapar, and Slovak naive painting. The craft of weaving the Stapar carpets has been preserved primarily as part of the heritage transferred among the female population of the village of Stapar, and naive Slovak painting encompasses the knowledge and skills of self-educated painters – members of the Slovak minority in Serbia, mainly in the Banat region. Both inscriptions encompass economic and political objectives: from job creation to international recognition. Over time, it turned out that there is a growing difference in the understanding of the elements themselves, and some “loose threads“ between the bearers, institutions, local authorities and experts in the field of intangible cultural heritage.