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The HKSAR Government has launched a territory-wide survey in Hong Kong to compile the first inventory of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Hong Kong. A survey team has been commissioned to conduct the survey. You are invited to take part by proposing items which are of cultural significance for consideration. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) came into effect in April, 2006. Since China has ratified the convention, the HKSAR Government agreed that it would be applicable to Hong Kong. According to the convention, inventories of ICH should be made. As stated in the convention, ICH covers the following five domains: oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship. We now invite you to report any ICH items which comply with any of the domains set by the convention. The research items could cover every aspect of daily life in Hong Kong. For oral traditions and expressions, the items may include Wai Tau dialect, and fishermen's dialect etc. For performing arts, the items may include Baak Fu (White Tiger) ritual, and fishermen's ballads etc. For social practices, rituals and festive events, the items may be praying mantis boxing, beat the petty person ritual, and pun choi etc. For knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, the items may be dit daa (bone-setting), and traditional Chinese medicine production. For traditional craftsmanship, the items may include bamboo steamer making, dried fruit production, and cured meat production. The survey team also is now conducting fieldwork including interviews, observations and video-recordings of the processes of the events. It will arrange interviews with those who are familiar with the listed items for collecting information about the history and contents of the items, and the transmitters' experiences. The survey will cover all districts in Hong Kong and be conducted by the South China Research Center of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. It is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2012. If you are interested to report any ICH items, please obtain a reporting form from the survey team: South China Research Center, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Room 1021, Academic Building, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Telephone: 2358 8026, 2358 8939 Fax: 2358 7774 Email: hkheritage@ust.hk Website: http://hkheritage.ust.hk All reported ICH items are subject to further assessment by experts before getting listed in the ICH inventory. All applicants will receive an acknowledgement certificate on completion of the Territory-wide Survey. The deadline for reporting is 30 September 2011. |