91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ

The Cultural Heritage Identification & Preservation (CHIP) Project implemented two-day Workshops in Grenada, Barbados and Tobago. The multi country CHIP Project is executed by Pinelands Creative Workshop of Barbados one of the first set of 25 Creative Caribbean Project grantees funded by the European Union with the support of the EU Culture Programme.

The goal of the project is the preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the region as a vehicle for improved cultural products, knowledge transfer and social cohesion. At all Workshops there was deep discussion on identifying and classifying ICH, the examination of cultural threats and opportunities for ICH, as well as strategies for documenting and safeguarding cultural heritage.

The Workshops were valuable in enhancing knowledge of ICH among stakeholders, strengthening capacity to identify and inventory ICH elements, and introducing research and documenting ICH elements. They provided a forum for performing arts groups and individuals with a better understanding of their varied historical, social and cultural context, as well as afforded discussions into ICH and the varied elements and inventorying techniques to be assessed and discussed.

In Grenada, the workshops attracted 17 stakeholders; Barbados – 15 stakeholders - and Tobago – 24 Stakeholders – a total of 56 stakeholders engaged from three countries. Participants and cultural practitioners indicated that they had clarity of what ICH was and how to identify ICH in their respective countries, as well as a better understanding of practical approaches to documenting varied ICH – photos, video, written format. They also indicated that the workshops provided the opportunity to meet and learn from other stakeholders and discuss ways for future collaboration.

The CHIP project was able to begin the documentation of knowledge bearers in Grenada, Barbados and Tobago. This project has also provided the forum for groups and individuals to gain a better understanding of their varied historical, social and cultural context, as well as afforded discussion into opportunities for collaboration, support and networking. The forum also allowed for dialogue into potential threats, as it relates to gaps in existing laws, protections and policies related to ICH, that would require further discussion inclusive of the relevant policy makers.

The Project has also highlighted the need for significant education around what is ICH and an intensified and strategic multi country approach focusing on identification, inventorying, sharing and promoting of varied ICH.