Strengthening capacities in the Comoros for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage for sustainable development © UNESCO

The ‘Capacity building project for the safeguarding of Comoros’ intangible cultural heritage for sustainable development’ has been completed with a closing ceremony held in Moroni, Union of Comoros at the end of 2019.

The project greatly strengthened Comoros’ national capacities to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, through activities focusing on documentation, research, awareness-raising and community-based inventorying. These activities resulted in the very first national inventory, featuring 15 intangible cultural heritage elements, and a complete review of the existing legislation for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. During the ceremony, the Minister for Arts and Culture expressed his personal commitment to ensuring the adoption of the heritage bill by the National Assembly.

Organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Professional Insertion, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research, the closing ceremony took place at the National Centre for Documentation and Scientific Research (CNDRS). It featured a photographic exhibition and an interactive video displaying living heritage in Comoros, as well as live presentations of intangible cultural heritage practices to school children and the general public.

The ‘Capacity building project for the safeguarding of Comoros’ intangible cultural heritage for sustainable development’, was carried-out from November 2017 to December 2019, thanks to a generous contribution of US$249,435 to UNESCO from the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.