Central & East European traditions become UNESCO World Heritage2010|2009
Romanian traditional song, Doina, together with the Hungarian masked carnival, Bulgarian Nestinarstvo and Estonian Seto polyphonic singing have been inscribed in September 2009 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In September 2009, the World Representative List was increased with 76 new additions after a year earlier, the first 90 elements were incorporated. The List of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding includes elements whose viability is endangered, despite the efforts of the community or group concerned. By inscribing an element on this List, the State undertakes to implement specific safeguards and may be eligible to receive financial assistance from a Fund set up for this purpose.
For the Seto community living in south-eastern Estonia and the Pechory district of the Russian Federation, the tradition of leelo, an ancient polyphonic singing tradition, is a cornerstone of contemporary identity. VIDEO
The Bulgarian Nestinarstvo, messages from the past, consists of fire-dancing rite and represents the climax of the annual Panagyr ritual on the feast days of Saints Constantine and Helena (3 and 4 June) in the village of Bulgari, in the Mount Strandzha region of south-east Bulgaria. VIDEO
The Busó festivities at Mohács in southern Hungary are a six-day carnival in late February to mark the end of winter, named for the busós, frightening-looking costumed people (traditionally men) wearing wooden masks and big woolly cloaks. VIDEO
Doina, known by various names throughout Romania, is a lyrical, solemn chant that is improvised and spontaneous. As the essence of Romanian folklore, until 1900 it was the only musical genre in many regions of the country. VIDEO