tema 22

Patrimonio Inmaterial de Asturias

• Asturias's intangible cultural heritage encompasses a diverse range of knowledge, techniques, and cultural expressions passed down through generations.
• These elements are fundamental to Asturian identity, reflecting the adaptation of local communities to their environment and history.
• Intangible heritage differs from tangible heritage (buildings, monuments), consisting of intangible knowledge, skills, and practices embedded in memory and experience. This forms the ethos of the culture.
• Intangible heritage is crucial for strengthening a sense of belonging and respect for cultural diversity and creativity.

Types of Intangible Heritage

• Traditional music and dances
• Traditional crafts techniques
• Festivals
• Gastronomy
• Language
• Rituals

Asturian Heritage Law

• The Asturian Cultural Heritage Law (2001) provides a comprehensive legal framework for protecting cultural expressions.
• This law supports documentation and research on intangible heritage.
• The law promotes both community and academic conservation efforts.

Examples of Asturian Intangible Heritage

• Asturian gaita music, combining traditional music with religious ceremony.
• Sidra production and consumption practices
• "Asturianada" (a unique local vocal style)
• Traditional Asturian games (e.g., bolos)
• Traditional clothing styles
• Stone construction techniques

Legislation and Protection

• The Asturian Cultural Heritage Law protects both tangible and intangible heritage.
• Specific mechanisms for identifying, conserving, and promoting intangible heritage are in place.
• Spain's adherence to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2006), and the 2015 Spanish Heritage Law strengthen this protection.
• The Asturian Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory acts as a register of cultural practices.

Materials, Collection, and Conservation

• The conservation of Asturias' intangible heritage requires specific methods for gathering, documenting, and preserving intangible cultural expressions.
• Sound recordings, audiovisual documents, and craft objects are vital materials.
• These materials document knowledge, skills, and traditions.

Museum of the Asturian People (Muséu del Pueblu d'Asturies)

• It is a key institution for preserving, studying, and promoting Asturian cultural heritage.
• Displays traditional Asturian buildings (homes, barns, storehouses).
• Houses a collection of traditional Asturian musical instruments and recordings.
• Exhibits documentation of daily life, crafts, and rituals.
• Offers educational programs.
• Organized in four main thematic areas:
  • Geographical area: Objects of daily life from the 19th and 20th centuries, including household items, farming tools, and religious items.
  • Music area: Instruments and recordings of traditional Asturian music.
  • Photography area: A vast collection of photographs and postcards documenting Asturian life from the late 19th century to the year 2000.
  • Documentation area: Archives of correspondence, business documents, graphic material, maps and an anthropology library.

Network of Asturian Ethnographic Museums

• Created to coordinate the management, conservation, and research into Asturian ethnographic heritage.
• Includes various specialized museums across Asturias, providing a comprehensive view of Asturian culture.
• Dedicated educational projects connect museums with schools promoting learning through activities and practical demonstrations.
• Fosters community engagement and knowledge sharing.

Dissemination of Intangible Heritage

• The dissemination (sharing) of intangible heritage is key to preserving it.
• The "Fontes Sonores" collection makes traditional recordings widely available to the public and scholars.
• Other initiatives include the "Atlas Sonoru" (sound atlas), providing access to Asturian language recordings.
• Museums play a critical role in sharing information and promoting understanding of intangible heritage.