Unesco's assertions in Cambodia have been challenged and refuted
In a recent development, the Ministry of Culture in Cambodia has issued a detailed clarification regarding the misconception surrounding the inclusion of Thai literary works in their submission to UNESCO for intangible cultural heritage recognition.
The Ministry's statement unequivocally denies any claims of secretly including 22 Thai literary works in their submission. This clarification follows a wave of public criticism sparked by social media posts, which led to the controversy revolving around Cambodia's intangible cultural heritage submission to UNESCO.
It is essential to understand that the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage defines intangible cultural heritage (ICH) across five specific domains: oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.
While literary works may be encompassed under the oral traditions domain, due to their nature as oral expressions like storytelling, poetry, or songs, literature as a standalone category does not fall explicitly within these five domains defined by the convention.
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia, an ancient Cambodian performance art, was proposed by Phnom Penh to UNESCO for intangible cultural heritage recognition in 2003 and was successfully listed as an intangible cultural heritage item of humanity. The Royal Ballet of Cambodia serves as a prime example of an intangible cultural heritage item recognised by UNESCO.
The controversy highlights the importance of understanding the criteria for intangible cultural heritage recognition by international organisations like UNESCO. It also underscores the significance of transparency in cultural heritage submissions to such institutions. The controversy did not involve any registration of Thai literary works by Cambodia with any other organization.
The ministry's clarification aims to correct the misunderstanding about the inclusion of Thai literary works in Cambodia's UNESCO submission and reaffirms their commitment to upholding the integrity and transparency of their cultural heritage submissions.
- The controversy suggests a need for greater public understanding regarding the specific domains defined by UNESCO for intangible cultural heritage, as literary works are not explicitly categorized within those domains.
- The ministry's clarification emphasizes that while Thai literary works may be related to oral traditions, they were not secretly included in Cambodia's UNESCO submission for intangible cultural heritage recognition.
