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International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage
The International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrated every year on 17 October, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Day offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of living heritage: the knowledge, practices, expressions, skills and traditions that communities transmit from generation to generation and continue to recreate in response to their environment, history and social life.
For the UNESCO Chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage and Comparative Law at UnitelmaSapienza University of Rome, ICH Day is a key moment to bring the values of the 2003 Convention closer to different audiences, especially younger generations. Through educational, cultural and awareness-raising initiatives, the Chair promotes dialogue on the role of communities in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and on the importance of transmission, participation and intercultural understanding.
This page gathers the initiatives developed by the UNESCO Chair on the occasion of ICH Day, including Living Heritage Goes to School, its edition dedicated to primary schools, Living Heritage Goes to Italian Schools Abroad, and Living Heritage Goes to FAO World Food Forum. Each project translates the principles of the 2003 Convention into accessible activities, learning materials and participatory experiences designed to make living heritage more visible, understandable and meaningful for students, teachers, youth communities and wider audiences.
2026
Living Heritage Goes to School 2026
ICH Goes to Italian Schools Abroad. Traditions Across Borders
Media review 2026
Corriere della Sera
“Oggi si celebra la giornata del patrimonio culturale immateriale: ecco le scuole coinvolte e perché cambia la vita dopo il marchio Unesco”
The article highlights the Chair’s educational initiatives reaching 21 schools worldwide and presents findings from Prof. Petrillo’s ongoing research on the impact of UNESCO recognition on tourism, employment and local development.
Il Resto del Carlino
“Unesco, patrimonio per il turismo: ‘Un marchio di qualità che paga’. Presenze in aumento rispetto alle zone fuori dalla lista”
The article explores the economic impact of UNESCO recognition, presenting research conducted by Prof. Pier Luigi Petrillo on tourism growth, employment and local economies, while addressing the importance of sustainable heritage management.
Comunicare il sociale
“Patrimonio immateriale Unesco: perché le comunità vengono prima del marchio”
In an interview with Prof. Pier Luigi Petrillo, the article examines the central role of communities in living heritage safeguarding, the risks of commercialisation and folklorisation, and the importance of education and community participation beyond UNESCO recognition.
TMN
“Cattedra Unesco UnitelmaSapienza porta saperi tradizionali in scuole”
The news agency reports on the UNESCO Chair’s initiative to bring traditional knowledge and living heritage into schools, promoting cultural transmission and awareness among younger generations.
DIRE
“CULTURA. CATTEDRA UNESCO ‘UNITELMASAPIENZA’ PORTA FOLKLORE ITALIANO NEL MONDO”
The news agency covers the Chair’s international educational outreach, highlighting the transmission of Italian cultural traditions and the engagement of schools in Italy and abroad.
2025
Living Heritage Goes to School 2025
Living Heritage Goes to School - Primary School Edition
Living Heritage Goes to FAO WFF
2024
Living Heritage Goes to School 2024
