Twenty years on from UNESCO’s convention on the protection of intangible cultural heritage, the Zagreb Ethnographic Museum has just opened an exhibition on Croatia’s numerous contributions to the list.
Twenty-one large black banners hang from the tall ceilings of the museum hall and line its white walls. Each contains photographs and a description of Croatia’s entries on UNESCO’s list of protected intangible cultural heritage, one that honours oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, knowledge and skills for the production of traditional crafts, among other things.
It would be fair to say that the exhibits on display encompass the full range of this list. From traditional falconry techniques and religious processions to klapa singing and silent dance, the exhibition reveals the incredible range of Croatia’s cultural history throughout its diverse regions.
For those curious to discover how such a small country finds itself so prominently featured on UNESCO’s various heritage lists, this exhibition is a great place to start. Check the wall-facing side of the banners for descriptions in English, and scan each of the QR codes for more detail or video examples of these unique and intangible cultural artefacts.
Croatia's Intangible Cultural Heritage on the UNESCO Lists, Zagreb Ethnographic Museum, Trg Ivana i Vladimira Mažuranića 14, Zagreb. Open Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-1pm. Admission €4.