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.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0for centuries.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cThis is a great Victory! This is a triumph of Ukrainian culture and of Ukrainian spirit!<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In 2022, \u201cKobzarism\u201d\/\u201cKobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
In 2023, at the initiative of the Kyiv, Lviv, and Kharkiv Kobzar Guilds, Watch Ukrainian! Association, Development\u00a0Centre \u2018Democracy through Culture\u2019 CSO, and MHP-Gromadi Charitable Foundation, Ukraine nominated the \u201cKobza and Wheel Lyre Tradition\u201d and the related safeguarding program to be added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
At the initiative of the Watch Ukrainian! Association and supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, the project \u201cKobzarism. Epic tradition\u201d was launched and implemented. Within the \u201cKobzarism. Epic tradition\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\nAt first, we hesitated whether to \u200b\u200bsubmit 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.<\/p>\n