The 4th Culture Masters International Advisory Board (IAB) meeting concluded with impactful decisions aimed at preserving and promoting diverse cultural traditions worldwide. Held virtually on July 27, the meeting gathered esteemed cultural leaders and experts who deliberated on several key issues and nominations.
Key Highlights of the 4th IAB Meeting
Agenda and Approval: The meeting's agenda was reviewed and approved without amendments. It included a comprehensive overview of previous meetings, introductions of new members, and progress reports from various initiatives.
Welcome and New Members: Chairperson Mr. Alisher Ikramov welcomed new members Jahangir Selimkhanov from Azerbaijan and Deirdre Prins-Solani from South Africa. The total number of board members increased to 18, representing different continents, showcasing the board's diverse and global composition.
Progress Reports:
CEO Seong-Yong Park provided a detailed progress report, highlighting several significant achievements: the launch of "Arirang Connect," a global online Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) newspaper; the establishment of an international reporters network to promote cultural exchange; addressing climate change through cultural practices; efforts to engage conflict zones in cultural peace initiatives; administration of the Arirang Master designation program with 20 nominations from 14 countries; and the development of a sponsorship campaign strategy.
Summary of Feedback from Board Members:
The Secretariat summarized feedback from board members, covering key topics such as: suggestions for partnership with Norwegian and Nordic cultural funds; recommendations for appointing national focal points; proposals to rename the Arirang Master designation to the Arirang Master Award; limiting nominations to two per country every two years; creation of a premium ICH educational program accessible online and offline; using COP29 in Baku for presenting ICH cases related to climate change; and expanding the International Reporter network.
Developing Online Training Programs:
Deirdre Prins-Solani emphasized the need for: a comprehensive needs assessment; balancing customized and global training approaches; integrating culture and nature in training methodologies; focusing on community-driven capacity building; combining asynchronous and synchronous learning; and ensuring connectivity and access to information. Aijarkyn Kojobekova shared experiences from a gender advocacy program, suggesting: clear program aims and target audiences; structured programs with follow-up activities like small grants for graduates; and building a community of practice among participants.
Addressing Climate Change and Promoting Cultural Peace:
V Jayarajan shared experiences from a seminar on folklore and floods in Kerala, including exhibitions of traditional family umbrellas, performances of art forms related to rain, and discussions on traditional practices for combating climate change. Jahangir Selimkhanov proposed using COP29 to present ICH cases related to climate change. Eivind Falk discussed Norway's initiatives in preserving traditional building techniques to combat climate change and suggested publishing a collection of global experiences in this field. There were also debates and proposals from the members in relation to promoting the culture of peace through the voice of artists and cultural communities.
Review of Nomination Files:
The board conducted an in-depth review and decision-making process on 20 nomination files from 14 countries. Notable nominations included artists from countries in various different regions such as Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Norway, Peru, each recognized for their contributions to preserving and promoting their respective cultural traditions.
Results and Outcomes of the Meeting:
One application was reserved due to a lack of information related to the intangible heritage community.
It was decided to maintain the principle of applying for two people (one man and one woman) every two years for each country.
An agenda to nominate each country's national focal point was proposed. However, since a consultative body that is too large is not suitable for the current situation of Culture Masters, the mainstream opinion was to develop the current IAB-centered, Jury-based system.
New Arirang Masters: Celebrating Global Cultural Diversity
The announcement of the new Arirang Masters marks a significant milestone in celebrating global cultural diversity. This term, 19 artists have been honored, reflecting a notable increase in the total number of participating countries to 21 and showcasing the expanding reach of the Arirang Masters program.
Recognizing Global Talent The new Arirang Masters have been selected for their exceptional contributions to preserving and promoting their respective cultural heritages. This diverse group of artists includes musicians, dancers, and storytellers who embody the rich traditions of their countries. Their dedication to cultural preservation highlights the program's commitment to recognizing and supporting global talent.
Highlighting New Participating Countries The inclusion of artists from additional countries such as Azerbaijan, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Peru and Sri Lanka is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the program's global scope and expanding influence. This year, the program proudly features nominations from 21 countries, underscoring its growing recognition and importance in preserving cultural heritage worldwide.
Fiji's Contemporary Artist CEO Seong-Yong Park introduced the nomination of a contemporary artist Anare Somumu from Fiji, marking the first nomination from the Pacific region. This artist's unique contributions to promoting Fijian culture and heritage have been widely recognized and celebrated for their originality and impact.
Pakistani Contributions Two Pakistani artists were nominated for their efforts in promoting traditional Pakistani music and heritage. These nominations underscore the rich musical traditions of Pakistan and their importance in the cultural tapestry of the region.
Botswana's Traditional Music Advocate The nomination of Mr. Thibe Nyepetsi from Botswana acknowledged his dedication to promoting and transmitting traditional music. His involvement in safeguarding plans and establishing an annual festival has been instrumental in preserving Botswana's musical heritage.
Sri Lanka's Carnatic Music Innovator Maruthamutha Uthayakumaran, a Sri Lankan artist known for preserving and innovating Carnatic classical music was nominated. This artist's work as a musician, educator, and creator has significantly impacted the cultural landscape, ensuring the continuation and evolution of this rich musical tradition.
Azerbaijan's Ashik Art Promoter Samira Aliyeva from Azerbaijan was nominated for her instrumental role in promoting Ashik art. Her contributions as an educator and author further underscore her efforts in cultural preservation and the promotion of Azerbaijan's artistic heritage.
Representations from Europe and North America Nominations from Europe and North America were also featured, with Einar Borgfjord from Norway and Denis Pépin from Canada being recognized for their dedication to preserving and promoting their respective regional cultures.
Meeting Outcomes and Future Steps
The board expressed gratitude to the Secretariat for their diligent efforts in identifying suitable candidates for the Designation of Arirang Masters in 2024. The expansion of the Arirang Master program underscores its growing influence and commitment to preserving diverse cultural heritages globally. The new designations reflect the program's dedication to recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural diversity that exists around the world.
Future Directions The idea of publishing a collection of traditional housing techniques from different countries to address climate change was proposed. Additionally, there will be a focus on enhancing the role of ICH in cultural peace initiatives, with further discussions planned. The meeting concluded with a focus on ongoing communication and collaboration among board members to ensure the sustained preservation and promotion of diverse cultural traditions worldwide.
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