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For the 20^th anniversary of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO and La Poste, the French post office, launched the stamp ‘20 years… Let’s celebrate living heritage’.

Twenty years ago, the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted during the 32^nd session of the General Conference. Under the theme ‘We Are #LivingHeritage’, the anniversary inspired celebrations around the world, as well as reflections on the role of  the UNESCO Convention in safeguarding the diversity and richness of intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO, along with its partners, renews its commitment to protecting and promoting living heritage in the decades to come, and unleashing its power as an engine of sustainable development.

This stamp features the Zaouli music and dance from Côte d'Ivoire, one of Africa's rich living heritage elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

is a popular dance and music practiced by the Guro communities of Côte d'Ivoire, in the departments of Bouaflé and Zuénoula. As an homage to women, it is inspired by two masks: the Blou and the Djela. The bearers and practitioners of Zaouli are not only dancers but also sculptors, artisans, musicians, singers, and notables. They are the guarantors of their community's customs and traditions. Zaouli plays an educational, recreational, and aesthetic role. Conveying the cultural identity of its bearers, it also contributes to environmental preservation and fosters integration and social cohesion.

The stamp (valid for Europe and international mail), together with its philatelic document will be available from 8 September for advance sale at the UNESCO Book & Gift Shop, and at La Poste offices from 11 September 2023.