Squaring the Circle? In Search of the Characteristics of the Relationship between Intangible Cultural Heritage, Museums, Europe and the EU

This paper seeks to analyze the complex and evolving relationship between intangible cultural heritage (ICH), museums, Europe as a geographical region and the European Union as a regional organization. With the aim to understand this relationship and find relevant quantitative and qualitative data, the number of inscriptions coming from European countries (and separately from the EU member states) to the Representative List of ICH is analyzed, as one of proofs of the interest shown by States Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (the 2003 Convention). Inscriptions from the EU members are also examined by paying special attention to the way they incorporate museums and the role ascribed to museums visible in nomination files. Also examined is how the EU defines ‘intangible cultural heritage’ in practice, e.g. via diverse funds and programs, with the aim to see how close (or how far) its interpretations of what is ‘intangible heritage’ are to the 2003 Convention’s definition, and what is the place provided by the EU for museums promoting ICH. At the end the paper presents the challenges and possible traps that might be encountered in the process of including ICH in the current EU and museums heritage policies and actions. In order to provide a clear referential framework, the research is based on an interdisciplinary approach, involving the legal, institutional, and political dimensions. In terms of the sources used, information was drawn from international governmental (EU, UNESCO) and non-governmental organizations (NEMO, Europeana) primary sources – e.g. conventions (with a focus on the 2003 Convention), institutional agreements, directives, policy documents and statements, operational directives, and open calls for funds.