The Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (in short KIEN in Dutch) has been coordinating the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention in the Netherlands since 2012. KIEN helps practitioners of intangible heritage to safeguard (develop, promote, pass on) their intangible heritage, including through the Intangible Heritage Netherlands Inventory. In addition, KIEN works on knowledge development for the practice of safeguarding intangible heritage.
September 1, 2012
From 1 September 2012, the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was ratified by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. KIEN has contacts with the islands in the Dutch Caribbean about their intangible heritage policy.
Intangible heritage is living heritage, which is formed in the practice of daily life and is carried by people. We support these people in safeguarding their heritage, put intangible heritage on the map and work on raising awareness of the importance of intangible heritage among the general public. We also advise the Dutch government and UNESCO, and collaborate nationally and internationally with intangible heritage organizations in other countries in the so-called ICH-NGO Forum of NGOs accredited by UNESCO.
Vision:
'Intangible heritage connects people, gives meaning to life and color to society, creates a sense of continuity and identity and reflects the cultural diversity of the Netherlands. The social importance of it is great. Intangible heritage is an essential branch of heritage, carried by people of today who want to pass on their intangible heritage to the future. As a knowledge center, we want to support and make that visible. '