Presentation delivered by Ms. Danijela Filipovic, representative of Serbia

1. Intangible Cultural Heritage in emergencies
Innovative adaptations and impact-mitigation measures
undertaken by practitioners, governments and mediators
Danijela Filipović
Center for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia
14th Annual Meeting of the South-East
European Experts Network on Intangible
Cultural Heritage

2. - by ensuring availability of a part of the content of the National Register of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia (e-Register of ICH)
• within a broader online platform for the presentation of ICH nkns.rs the access to
ICH elements (description, relevant photo and video documentation) has been
facilitated not only to professional audiences (researchers, scholars, professionals in
culture, students) and ICH bearers, but also to the general public
- by disseminating experiences regarding practicing ICH elements and
implementation of safeguarding measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
• social networks / Facebook page of the Center for ICH, have been recognized and
used as an important tool for sheering new initiatives and dissemination of
experiences regarding practicing ICH
- by monitoring elements inscribed in the National Register, particularly those
festive customs related to the Easter and St George celebration
• Lazarica processions, Easter Ritual of Guarding Jesus Christ's Tomb, Ritual of
making and lighting farmer candles, Prayer – St. George’s Day ritual in eastern
Serbia
MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT AND
COMPETENT BODYThe Republic of Serbia declared the state of emergency on March 15th, 2020, followed by various emergency measures such
as temporary closure of chools universities, heritage sites, cultural institutions, public spaces, manifestations etc. Measures
were mitigated with use of digital platforms, channels and social networks and focused on projects and exchange of
information in digital form.
Center for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia, as a competent body in charge of ICH, has mainly had a liaison and
coordination role in communication with bearers and relevant national institutions regarding measures and dissemination of
information:

3. The process of making candles and
processions was restricted, with the
priority of ensuring continuity of the
ritual
Celebration was held with provided
measures of coronavirus prevention ...
… with limited number of participants
and reduced form of ritual
MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY PRACTITIONERS
Ritual of making and lighting farmer candles
This ritual is a part of Easter rituals in western Serbia. It includes the manufacturing of candles from pure wax
and their offering to the Monastery of Tronoša during the last week of the Lent. This ritual is conducted with the
aim of securing a better crop yield, the fertility of livestock, the health of household members and the welfare of
the entire community.

4. MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY PRACTITIONERS
Bagpipe playingPipe-playing practice
Online actions and activities
Online action "Frula for the revival of Serbia“, organized
by Pipers Gathering in Prislonica, with the aim of
promoting pipe-playing practice and as a sign of
support to health workers during pandemic crisis
• the bearers of pipe-playing practice invited to make 2 – 3
min videos in which they played this instrument and post it
on Facebook
• More than 120 participants, mainly young people from
Serbia, but also Australia, Sweden, USA, Montenegro,
Republika Srpska took a part in this action.
Facebook group “Гајде - Serbian Bagpipes” whose
administrators and members are practitioners/bearers
and lovers of bagpipe playing
• Posting diverse content (videos, photos, articles, etc.) on
practice of playing bagpipes on the territory of Serbia,
with an accent on the content regarding actual practice
during pandemic crisis
• Social network communication as a tool for connecting
and sharing knowledge about the ways in which bagpipe
playing lives/ in contemporary society

5. FINAL REMARKS
Using online platforms and developing
new initiatives and programs for
learning and awareness-raising of the
ICH could be considered as one
positive aspect of adjustment of all ICH
stakeholders to the circumstances
caused by the pandemic crisis
Web platforms, social networks as a
new impetus and a sense of acting for a
common cause to those who have
already been involved in the system of
safeguarding of ICH, but with the
potential of involving new users, broad
audience
Most affected ICH elements are from
domains of performing art, social rituals
and practices, since many of them had
to be canceled or postponed