Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements (Ukrainian: Нематеріальна культурна спадщина) are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts.[1] The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003[2] and took effect in 2006.[3] Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists for their protection and safeguard is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.[4]

Ukraine ratified the convention on 27 May 2008. As of December 2024, seven items from Ukraine are inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Lists,[5] and three items — embroidery technique 'white-in white' of the town Reshetylivka in Poltava region, Rivne region tradition of the Polissia Dudka-Vykrutka, and safeguarding practice of the "Tradition of the Generous Evening in Ukraine" through formal and non-formal education — were nominated in 2023 and 2024.[6][7]

The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has also formed the National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.[8]

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

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+ Transnational element

Representative List

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Name Image Year No. Description
Petrykivka decorative painting as a phenomenon of the Ukrainian ornamental folk art   2013 00893 It is a traditional Ukrainian decorative painting style, originating from the rural settlement of Petrykivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where it was traditionally used to decorate house walls and everyday household items.[9]
Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics   2019 01456 The distinctive painted ceramics from Kosiv originated in the 1700s and reflect the history and culture of Hutsul people.[10]
Örnek, a Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it   2021 01601 It is a design of ornamentation, which is used on embroidery, weaving, pottery, engraving, jewellery, wood carving, and glass and wall painting; the listing also includes knowledge and understanding of the practice.[11]
Pysanka, Ukrainian tradition and art of decorating eggs +[a]   2024 02134 To create pysanky, eggs are partially covered in wax and dipped in dye to produce colourful patterns and ornaments that may carry symbolic meaning. Nowadays, the tradition is associated with Easter and can be found throughout Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, especially in Estonia, resulting in the shared nomination of the item from both Ukraine and Estonia.[12]

Need of Urgent Safeguarding

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Name Image Year No. Description
Cossack’s songs of Dnipropetrovsk Region 2016 01194 These works, sung by Cossack communities in the region, talk about the tragedy of war and the personal experiences of soldiers. The lyrics maintain spiritual ties with the past, but are also entertaining.[13]
Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking   2022 01852 This beetroot soup has its place as a distinct culinary practice in Ukraine. The recipe of borscht is passed on within families, and the dish is associated with numerous regional ritual practices. The element is in need of safeguarding due to the displacement of people and disruption of agriculture caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[14][15][16]

Register of Good Safeguarding Practices

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Name Image Year No. Description
Safeguarding programme of kobza and wheel lyre tradition   2024 02136 Players of kobza and wheel lyre, known as kobzari and lirnyky, were visually impaired travelling musicians that formed guilds. Despite their prosecution in early Soviet Union, the tradition has survived with the re-establishment of kobzar guilds in 1980s and the popularization of the tradition in the modern era.[17]

National Inventory

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As of July 2024, one hundred three items are inscribed in the National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.[18] The list is divided into five sections.[19]

National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage

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 Element inscribed later in the UNESCO Lists
# Item Date inscribed Media No.
1 Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics ↑ December 14, 2012   001
2 Krolevets handloom weaving [uk] December 14, 2012   002
3 Opishnia ceramics [uk] December 14, 2012   003
4 Petrykivka painting, a Ukrainian decorative ornamental art of 19th–21st centuries ↑ December 14, 2012   004
5 Cossack's songs of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast ↑ January 21, 2015   005
6 Singing tradition of Luka village in Kyiv Oblast June 29, 2017   006
7 Technology of "white on white" embroidery [uk] of Reshetylivka June 29, 2017   007
8 Tradition of floral ornamental carpet weaving in Reshetylivka [uk] February 12, 2018   008
9 Tradition of ornamental painting of Bubnivka ceramics [uk] May 30, 2018   010
10 Tree beekeeping May 30, 2018   011
11 Tradition of Hutsul pysanka ↑[b] November 16, 2018   012
12 Tradition of folk ritual "Vodinnia Kusta [uk]" in Svarytsevychi village in Rivne Oblast November 16, 2018   014
13 Tradition of Samchyky decorative painting [uk] July 4, 2019   015
14 Artistic wood carving of Chernihiv Oblast July 4, 2019 017
15 Hutsul koliada and pliesy of Verkhovyna Raion of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast December 28, 2019 018
16 Custom of performing Arkan with Kovalivka dance in Pechenizhyn settlement hromada August 5, 2020   019
17 Art of making the musical clay toy "Valkivskyi svyshchyk [uk]" August 5, 2020   020
18 Technology of making wax vinok in Vinnytsia Oblast August 5, 2020   021
19 Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking ↑ October 13, 2020   022
20 Carpathian lizhnyk production October 13, 2020   023
21 Borshchiv folk embroidery [uk] October 13, 2020   024
22 Technology of Klembivka embroided shirt weaving "with a flower" October 13, 2020 025
23 Easter folk ritual "Vodyty Volodara" in Rozkoshivka village in Vinnytsia Oblast October 13, 2020 026
24 Tradition of Yavoriv pie [uk] cooking July 6, 2022   027
25 Making the spherical Christmas star in Matskovychi village July 6, 2022   028
26 Knowledge and practice of Sakhnovshchyna [uk] korovai cooking July 6, 2022   029
27 New Year tradition of Bukovina Malanka July 6, 2022   031
28 Characteristics of Klezmer music performance in Podilsk Raion of Odesa Oblast July 6, 2022   032
29 "Moshu" (men's koliada) Christmas ritual July 6, 2022 033
30 Knowledge, skills and practices concerning Biliaivka fish yushka cooking and eating July 6, 2022 034
31 Milina – knowledge, skills, and rituals July 6, 2022   036
32 Dry stone method of construction July 6, 2022   037
33 Buzynnyk [uk] – an elderberry dessert, traditions of cooking and eating July 6, 2022 038
34 Tradition of cooking the ritual dish "krupky" in Mostove village in Andrushivka hromada in Zhytomyr Oblast July 6, 2022 039
35 Art of making the Yavoriv wooden toy [uk] July 6, 2022   040
36 Tradition of vine weaving in Iza village in Khust Raion July 6, 2022
 
042
37 Hutsul [uk] bryndzia July 6, 2022   044
38 Culture of platsynda cooking and eating [uk] in the villages of Frumushika river valley July 6, 2022   045
39 Ukrainian pysanka: tradition and art ↑[b] July 6, 2022   046
40 Tree beekeeping of Kyiv Oblast July 6, 2022   047
41 Tradition of straw plaiting in Turiisk hromada of Volyn Oblast July 25, 2022   048
42 Plum lekvar – tradition of cooking and culture of eating in Zakarpattia July 25, 2022 050
43 Ceremony of sowing with a horse in Vistria village in Chortkiv Raion in Ternopil Oblast October 24, 2022   051
44 Traditional ritual bread of Vinnytsia Oblast December 23, 2022   052
45 Kobzarstvo December 23, 2022   053
46 Upper San dialect around Mostyska region December 23, 2022 056
47 Bukovinian and Bessarabian taystra: traditions of making and using in daily life January 27, 2023   059
48 Tradition of cooking and eating St. George's Day ritual breads in Krynychne village February 17, 2023 062
49 Tradition of reed weaving in Shchitky and Pysarivka villages in Vinnytsia Raion in Vinnytsia Oblast May 4, 2023 064
50 Tradition of grave cross decoration in Rivne Polissia May 4, 2023   065
51 Cooking of holubtsi, a Ukrainian traditional dish May 4, 2023   066
52 Traditional sheep farming in Bessarabia and the knowledge related to it May 4, 2023 067
53 Tradition of "Povinshuvannia Vasyliv" ritual in Lypivka village in Rohatyn territorial hromada in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast May 4, 2023 068
54 Bukovinian memorial tree with gifts May 25, 2023   069
55 Tradition of Hutsul artistic wood carving July 12, 2023 071
56 Traditional Malanka ritual in Beleluia village in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast July 12, 2023   072
57 Traditional women's bead jewelry [uk] in Prykarpattia July 12, 2023   073
58 Tradition and technology of embroidery of women's shirts in Hadiach region July 12, 2023   074
59 Ceremony of cooking zlyvana kasha July 26, 2023   076
60 Technology of cooking the ritual drink "Varena" in Boromlia village July 26, 2023 077
61 Tradition and technology of manufacturing Obukhiv "stitched" rushnyk December 12, 2023   081
62 Traditional holiday "Mira" December 26, 2023 083
63 Traditional weaving in Kamin-Kashyrskyi hromada December 26, 2023 084
64 Tradition of Shchedryi vechir in Ukraine December 26, 2023   085
65 Tradition of drying fruits in the villages of Okhtyrka region [uk] December 26, 2023 086
66 Tradition of cooking and eating "Zozulia" kasha [uk] February 23, 2024 089
67 Traditional folk game "Ashyk" May 27, 2024   094
68 Tradition of performing the ritual men's dance "Serben" [uk] in Chortovets village May 27, 2024   095
69 Culture of traditional Hutsul cheese shaping [uk] May 27, 2024   096
70 Wedding ritual of "Chytannia korony" May 27, 2024   097
71 Tradition of bell ringing in Lviv July 24, 2024   098
72 Culture of preparation and consumption of "Zasypana kapusta" July 24, 2024   099
73 Tradition of making the Boiko pysanka using a bulavka July 24, 2024   100
74 Ritual of installing the "Vikha" in Pereiaslav region July 24, 2024   101

National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

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The inventory includes elements of intangible cultural heritage that are under threat of disappearing due to hostilities, consequences of temporary occupation, natural impacts, or temporary displacement of population.[19]

# Item Date inscribed Media No.
1 Oleshnia pottery in Chernihiv Oblast July 4, 2019 016
2 The custom and technology of cooking the festive and memorial kasha in Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast July 6, 2022   041
3 Wedding utiata baking in Richky village [uk] December 23, 2022   054
4 Ritual of Zelekivska zlyvanka cooking December 23, 2022 055
5 Hutsul cooperage December 23, 2022   057
6 Art of making Hlyniany patterned textile January 27, 2023 058
7 Polissian dudka-vykrutka: traditions of making and playing January 27, 2023   061
8 Obukhovychi weaving [uk] March 13, 2023 063
9 Traditional craft of beekeeping in Svatove Raion in Luhansk Oblast July 12, 2023 070
10 Bukovina ceremonial vinok with needle grass July 26, 2023 075
11 Ritual "Honinnia hadiuk" November 20, 2023   078
12 Wedding braiding ceremony in the settlement of Bilokurakyne November 20, 2023   080
13 Lent holubtsi with potatoes [uk], the tradition of preparation and consumption December 12, 2023   082
14 Tradition of herbalism in Starobilsk region December 26, 2023 087
15 Kobolchyn ceramics December 26, 2023 088
16 Tradition of cooking zatirka in Kryva Luka village February 23, 2024 090

National Inventory of Proper Practices of Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

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The inventory accredits communities and organizations that help to preserve intangible cultural heritage.[19]

# Item Date inscribed Media No.
1 Traditional Kharkiv kots [uk] weaving July 6, 2022   030
2 Museum of traditional folk art [uk] as an interactive space of the intangible cultural heritage of Odesa Oblast July 6, 2022   035
3 International Christmas festival "Koliada na Maizliakh [uk]" July 6, 2022   043
4 Practice of safekeeping the Goryun culture by "Museum of Goryun culture [uk]" in Nova Sloboda village in Konotop Raion in Sumy Oblast January 27, 2023   060
5 Practice of the protection [uk] of traditional crafts and folk art November 20, 2023   079
6 Practice of safekeeping of "Hutsul pattern (ornament) and related cultural space" April 26, 2024 093
7 Programme of safekeeping the tradition of covering houses with straw and reeds in the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Folkways of Ukraine July 24, 2024   102

National Inventory that Represents the Culture of Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine

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The inventory highlights elements of intangible cultural heritage that belong to indigenous peoples of Ukraine,[19] which include Crimean Tatars, Crimean Karaites, and Krymchaks.

# Item Date inscribed Media No.
1 Örnek, a Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it ↑ February 12, 2018   009
2 Tradition of et ayaklak (Karaim meat pie) cooking. Experience of Karaims of Melitopol November 16, 2018   013
3 Practice and cultural context of cooking çiberek and yantıq – traditional Crimean Tatar dishes July 25, 2022   049
4 Coffee tradition [uk] of Crimean Tatars February 23, 2024   091
5 Ağır ava ve Qaytarma – traditional dance of Crimean Tatars February 23, 2024 092

National Inventory of Elements that Have Been Revived due to the Disappearance of Tradition

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The inventory includes elements of intangible cultural heritage that had disappeared but were successfully revived.[19]

# Item Date inscribed Media No.
1 Technique of embroidery "Horodok stitch" ("Horodok stib") July 24, 2024   103


Notes

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  1. ^ Shared with Estonia.
  2. ^ a b Hutsul pysanka and Ukrainian pysanka inscribed as one item in the UNESCO list[12]

References

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  1. ^ "What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Text of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  3. ^ "The States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Functions of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Ukraine". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. ^ "Ukrainian Pysanka and Kobzar - Lirnyk traditions may be inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists next year". Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  7. ^ МКІП направило два подання на розгляд Міжурядовому Комітету з охорони нематеріальної культурної спадщини ЮНЕСКО [The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy sent two submissions to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO]. Ministry of Culture and Information Policy. 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  8. ^ "Про затвердження Порядку ведення Національного переліку елементів нематеріальної культурної спадщини України". Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  9. ^ "Petrykivka decorative painting as a phenomenon of the Ukrainian ornamental folk art". UNESCO.
  10. ^ "UNESCO - Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics". UNESCO.
  11. ^ "Ornek, a Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it". UNESCO.
  12. ^ a b "Pysanka, Ukrainian tradition and art of decorating eggs". UNESCO. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  13. ^ "Cossack's songs of Dnipropetrovsk Region". UNESCO.
  14. ^ "Ukraine seeks U.N. cultural status for beloved borscht. A culinary spat with Russia could be brewing". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  15. ^ "Ukrainian borscht recognised by Unesco with entry on to safeguarding list". the Guardian. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  16. ^ "UNESCO - Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking". UNESCO. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  17. ^ "Safeguarding programme of kobza and wheel lyre tradition". UNESCO. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  18. ^ "Національний перелік елементів нематеріальної культурної спадщини України". mcip.gov.ua (in Ukrainian). 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  19. ^ a b c d e "В Україні запровадили п'ять Інвентарів нематеріальної культурної спадщини". mcip.gov.ua (in Ukrainian). 2024-04-26.
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