Workshop on the intangible cultural heritage in the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean

The Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage organized a Workshop for the Documentation, Dissemination and Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage that took place in the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve in the Mediterranean city of Tetuan (Morocco) on 3–5 December 2012.

This workshop, attended by over 85 people, is part of the training activities involved in the project Transhabitat. The activity focused primarily on the identification of intangible heritage in protected areas and its importance in the sustainability of certain transboundary ecosystems, i.e. habitats of common interest in Andalusia and Northern Morocco such as the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean. The main objective of the workshop was the transfer of the methodology used in the Atlas of the Intangible Heritage of Andalusia for application in Morocco.

Three outings were organized. The first was to the School of Crafts and Fine Arts in Tetouan, where the School Workshop project for the artisans from the old city (medina) was explained. The importance of traditional crafts for the maintenance of intangible cultural heritage – as in the case of the Medina of Tetouan – was discussed, along with how traditional techniques and skills are being safeguarded by the Workshop. The second visit was to the medina itself and was a practical exercise aimed at identifying elements of intangible cultural heritage. A third visit was made to a rural inn and restaurant that are part of a project for sustainable tourism.

More information:Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation IUCN-Med