Who is the Dutch Centre for Intangible Heritage Netherlands (KIEN)?
KIEN has been coordinating the implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands since 2012. Our office is located in the Dutch Open Air Museum in Arnhem, but we are active throughout the country.
With a team of academic staff and advisors, we are ready to support communities, governments and heritage practicioners in keeping intangible heritage alive. Perhaps you want to involve more young people in your tradition, are looking for ways to make a celebration more sustainable, or are looking for critical and in-depth perspectives on intangible heritage. Or perhaps you are curious about how to include intangible heritage in the local environmental vision, or want to get in touch with other intangible heritage practitioners.
We offer tailor-made advice and ensure that intangible heritage receives the attention it deserves — nationally and internationally.
What can KIEN help you with?
You can contact KIEN if you:
...you want to give visibility to your intangible heritage
KIEN is a national institution that maps intangible heritage and offers a platform. Do you want to make your intangible heritage visible to a wide audience? Then KIEN can support you in this. Through our network and the collaboration with other countries that are affiliated with the Unesco Convention, we are part of a worldwide network of almost 200 countries and more than 260 other NGOs around the world.
... Tips and expertise to give your intangible heritage a future
KIEN can help you think about the questions that arise when practicing, experiencing and passing on intangible heritage. In the Unesco treaty this is called 'safeguarding', but you can translate it freely as: giving your intangible heritage a future. We help you reflect and together we look at how your heritage remains future-proof.
Also take a look at our Knowledge base , where you will find a lot of useful publications, flyers and podcasts full of tips and knowledge about guarantees.
... You want to make your heritage future-proof through collaboration
At KIEN, collaboration is key. For over 12 years, we have been working with communities on the basis of co-creation. We listen, train and strengthen. Whether it concerns visibility around intangible heritage, such as the special project 'spotting intangible heritage' , or creating awareness within a community: we do it together. This participatory work ensures sustainable involvement of all parties.
...Want to do or know more about policy and intangible heritage
KIEN has extensive knowledge of policy on intangible heritage. We support policymakers in giving IP communities a place in, for example, environmental visions. How do you track down local heritage? How do you ensure that it plays a role in municipal policy? Thanks to our knowledge of policy processes, we help governments, municipalities and provinces to anchor intangible heritage in their plans. Also take a look at this page if you want more information about policy, intangible heritage and governments.
... Are interested in critical research into intangible heritage
Our scientific staff research, reflect and ask critical questions. KIEN's in-depth research leads to new insights into intangible heritage . This research not only helps to better understand the heritage, but also provides tools for safeguarding, awareness and policy. We share the knowledge that results from this with communities, researchers, heritage institutions, governments and other stakeholders, including through our Knowledge Base .
... Are you curious about what museums can do for intangible heritage?
KIEN has a special location: the Netherlands Open Air Museum . This is where intangible heritage comes to life. Not only will you find a permanent presentation in Het Heersink Huis voor Intangible Heritage , but the museum itself is a meeting place for heritage communities. This makes it the ideal place for training courses, workshops and networking events.
In addition to our unique location and home base, we also do a lot of research and collaborate with museums and heritage communities. For example, we wrote the publication 'A museum platform for intangible heritage,' full of insights and tips about living heritage in a museum setting. We also regularly talk to museums, and we give advice on how museums can do more through co-creation collaborate with heritage communities and practitioners.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to contact us
You can contact us by sending an email to info@immaterieelerfgoed.nl , or by calling 026 357 6113.
Other ways to stay up to date with our work is to follow us on our social media channels , via Instagram , LinkedIn , Facebook or YouTube , or by subscribing to our newsletter