The Department of Culture in collaboration with St. Maarten National Commission (NatCom) for UNESCO will host the second round of National Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Consultations on Monday, September 4th – Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the New Government Building Conference Room, Soualiga Blvd. in Philipsburg. The theme of this activity is “Strengthening Capacities for Implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in St. Maarten” and will be facilitated by Global UNESCO Facilitator Mr. David Brown of Jamaica. A field excursion exercise will take place on Tuesday, September 5th, 2017 in the Simpson Bay District where participants will be able to actively observe, partake and learn about the making of fishing pots, nets, traps, boats, which are key elements of the Simpson Bay district and St. Maarten’s cultural heritage. To recap, the main ambitions of this 3 day workshop are:
1) Strengthen capacities for Implementing the UNESCO ICH Convention on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH);
2) Review, supplement and finalize the First Draft National ICH Inventory (List) of St. Maarten;
3) Experience and explore specific aspects of living heritage on St. Maarten.
It is crucial that we have a good balance of heritage experts/professionals, community organizers, tradition bearers and practioners to ensure the success of the workshop and reinforce our commitment to keeping with the UNESCO Convention on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Persons interested in participating are asked to immediately contact Ms. Marcellia Henry, Secretary General of UNESCO via henrymarcellia@gmail.com, and/or Mrs. Sharine Allamby, Policy Officer of the Dept. of Culture via culturedepartmentofsxm@gmail.com.