MainНовиниMHP-Gromadi CF supported the inclusion of Ukrainian Kobzarism in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
MHP-Gromadi CF supported the inclusion of Ukrainian Kobzarism in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
On December 5, at the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee held in Paraguay, Ukraine’s nomination, Safeguarding Program of Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition, was included in the UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
The UNESCO World Committee’s recognition of Ukrainian Kobzarism (Safeguarding Program of Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition) means that the world is aware of and supports the importance of preserving and protecting the Ukrainian tradition, which has been a key component of the development of national culture and identity for centuries.
The Ukrainian kobza and wheel lyre tradition was represented at the UNESCO session by Taras Kompanichenko, a famous kobzar, a military, and People’s Artist of Ukraine, who, after the kobzar nomination was recognized, noted: “This is a great Victory! This is a triumph of Ukrainian culture and of Ukrainian spirit!
UNESCO decision proves the global importance and significance of Ukrainian words and music embodied in the creative work of kobza and wheel lyre musicians, speaks of the centuries-long continuous development of Ukrainian culture, and confirms its uniqueness and distinctive character. We hope the global recognition will result in a surge of interest in Ukrainian culture among the world community, highlight Ukraine’s subjectivity, and tell the world the story of those who have been carrying and preserving epic songs about our freedom, our fight against the aggressor and evil, about chivalry, spirituality, and our sacrifice through centuries.
The global recognition was preceded by years of patient daily work of many people and organizations. They held a wide range of events to popularize the kobza and wheel lyre tradition in Ukraine and the world, as well as a comprehensive information campaign to support this nomination to be recognized by UNESCO.
In 2022, “Kobzarism”/“Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition” was included in the National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine (safeguarding number 053). Thus, the state recognized the centuries-long cultural, educational, and state-building aspirations of kobza and wheel lyre musicians and supported this unique tradition established by the bearers for its preservation and further development.
In 2023, at the initiative of the Kyiv, Lviv, and Kharkiv Kobzar Guilds, Watch Ukrainian! Association, Development Centre ‘Democracy through Culture’ CSO, and MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation, Ukraine nominated the “Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition” and the related safeguarding program to be added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.
Dozens of educational events were held in Ukraine and around the world, namely, in Norway, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Ireland, the UK, Germany, and France. The members of the kobzar guilds actively participated in scientific and practical conferences, round tables, educational events, and festivals. Moreover, they helped rebuild workshops and housing destroyed by the war. Supported by donors, they launched educational programs for children and wounded military with visual impairments. Those who joined the Armed Forced to defend Ukraine took their musical instruments with them.
At the initiative of the Watch Ukrainian! Association and supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, the project “Kobzarism. Epic tradition” was launched and implemented. Within the “Kobzarism. Epic tradition” project, the multifunctional DUMA portal https://duma.com.ua/ was developed. It features more than 100 studio recordings of kobzar dumas, video portraits of modern kobzars, educational video lectures, etc.
Finally, in 2024, after a multi-stage expert assessment by UNESCO professionals and grounding on the Ukrainian part, the application was given a nomination priority status to be considered at the upcoming XIX session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
At first, we hesitated whether to submit the kobza and wheel lyre tradition for UNESCO recognition as kobza and wheel lyre musicians have never been seeking fame and popularity. Kobzar Guilds are fairly closed communities. Over time, we realized that a global recognition of our heritage is crucial for Ukraine. It helps the world learn more about Ukraine, our traditions, distinctive character, and identity. The awareness that worldwide recognition of Ukrainian culture will help Ukraine in its struggle and support the spirit of Ukrainians made us actively participate in the UNESCO nomination processes.
Adding a “Safeguarding Program of Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition” is a key event. The nomination idea and its preparation are to be credited to practitioners in full. The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine supported this initiative. I sincerely congratulate everyone involved in the nomination preparation, all practitioners, and all Ukrainians.
For us, UNESCO recognition is primarily the increased opportunity to tell the whole world about Ukraine, our indestructible songs, our culture, our struggle for our state, and our centuries-long desire for freedom. Every duma is a glorification of the cossack chivalry, every kobzar psalm is a story about the strength of faith and spirit, and every dance motive is about our ability to rejoice and be happy despite anything.
UNESCO, by recognizing the kobza and wheel lyre tradition, also recognized the history, culture, and epics of Ukraine, as well as its right to cultural identity and freedom.
No public funding was attracted for the development and two-year promotion of all components of the aforementioned nomination, only the support of MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation. The nomination was produced by the Watch Ukrainian! Association voluntarily.
By supporting Ukrainian culture today, we are preserving Ukrainian values, senses, and traditions. Therefore, it was crucial for MHP and its strategic partner, the MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation, to support the kobza and wheel lyre tradition being submitted for UNESCO recognition from the very beginning. This is a unique cultural phenomenon shaping national identity and connecting generations. It marks and distinguishes us as Ukrainians and puts us on the global cultural map.
We considered producing and promoting such a significant topic — the recognition of Ukrainian culture as a part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage of humanity — a highly responsible mission. I am happy that we have managed to overcome all the challenges and implement all the necessary processes and tasks at the highest level given tight deadlines and no public support.
Nomination coordinators on part of Ukraine: Oles Sanin (wheel lyre musician, film director), Valentyna Demian and Oleksandr Butsenko (experts on intangible cultural heritage, researchers), Andriy Rizol (producer).
The initiative to nominate the “Safeguarding Program of Kobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition” for UNESCO recognition was implemented in cooperation with the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lviv Kobzar Guilds, Development Centre ‘Democracy through Culture’ CSO, Watch Ukrainian! Association, MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation supported by the Cultural institution Mizhvukhamy, the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, and the Main Directorate of Communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The initiative was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.