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Global urbanisation is challenging community bonds. While cities have long embraced diverse forms of living heritage, rapid lifestyle changes and the convergence of new communities within urban environments demand new approaches to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage for inclusive and sustainable cities. This issue was at the core of the 18th annual meeting of the Regional Network of Experts on Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-East Europe, which took place in Warsaw (Poland) on 9-11 October 2024 with a special focus on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in urban contexts.

For the first time in its history, the annual meeting of the Network brought together national focal points for ICH with representatives of cities and other experts working on living heritage in urban areas. The event was hosted by the  and the , Poland, and organised by UNESCO jointly with the , with the support of the  and the . 

Concentrated on the interplay between safeguarding living heritage, city management and cultural policies, the meeting empowered participants to exchange experiences and develop their shared knowledge over an intense programme, drawing inspiration from the  initiative as a real case study.

On Day 1, participants visited the  and the  to reflect on the impact of war on the loss and mass destruction of cultural heritage, as well as the regeneration of ICH within the city’s post-war and contemporary identity.

Roundtable sessions were held on Day 2, highlighting innovative safeguarding approaches to face urban growth and sustainability challenges. Magdalena Landry, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, welcomed the participants, stressing the significance of this gathering for safeguarding the rich and diverse living heritage of South-East Europe. Discussions explored how institutions can support the celebration of living heritage in cities and strengthen the cooperation between local governments and communities to ensure that living heritage has its place in sustainable urban development. 

Day 3 was a chance for participants to explore the co-existence of traditional heritage craftsmanship in contemporary urban settings through a series of workshops held by local artisans at the . Karolina Ziębińska-Lewandowska, Director of the Museum of Warsaw, stressed that “intangible cultural heritage is about doing things together. Safeguarding this heritage is essential for people to conserve or regain a sense of communities in rapidly changing and expanding cities.”

Challenges to safeguarding ICH were identified, such as a lack of resources in city administrations and the importance of youth engagement. These concerns were addressed through discussions on future actionable steps starting with the integration of living heritage into educational programmes and cultural policies in cities.

The convention reaffirmed the importance of the Regional Network of Experts and participants called for the continuation of the Network’s activities, approving by consensus the representatives of Greece’s proposal to host the annual meeting in 2025.

The 18th annual meeting was organised by UNESCO through its Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe in consultation with the UNESCO Living Heritage Entity, and made possible by the annual contribution of Italy to the Regional Bureau.