Bountiful, Utah, August 2008
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The First IOV World Youth Congress & Scientific Symposium Bountiful, Utah, August 2008 The First IOV World Youth Congress was convened in Bountiful, Utah from August 5 th to August 9 th , 2008. Presented by The International Organization of Folk Art (IOV) in operational relations with UNESCO, the congress was by all measures a resounding success! Its focus, Living Traditions - Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage, brought people together from all over the world in fulfillment of the congress‘ three major objectives, to share information and research on topics relating to Intangible Cultural Heritage; to identify IOV projects relating to Intangible Cultural Heritage, and to create a structure of the IOV Youth Commission. From left: Mary Bee Jensen, Honorary Congress Chair; Hans J. Holz, IOV Secretary-General; Carmen D. Padilla, IOV President; Iveta Pirgova, Congress Chair; George M. Frandsen, Organizing Chair The participation, though less than initially anticipated due to financial constraints for some and visa problems for others, was substantial. Much was accomplished in the scheduled meetings, most of the scheduled presentations transpired, and many additional activities were enjoyed, some in conjunction with the 20 th anniversary of Summerfest International, an annual cultural celebration. The congress proceeded in an atmosphere of congeniality and goodwill, while a wealth of ideas and accomplishments related to preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) were shared . 1 Tuesday, August 5th On Tuesday, August 5 th , the congress officially began with a memorable Feast fit for a King under the auspices of the National Culinary Center of Azerbaijan. A seven course meal, prepared by Master Chef Tamir Amiraslanov, PhD., was hosted by the Davis Applied Technology College, Department of Culinary Arts in Kaysville, Utah. Students from the culinary arts department assisted in the preparation of the dishes and were on hand to enjoy the fruits of their labor, together with 100 members of the public. The recipes for the dinner were taken from a Twelfth Century manuscript discovered in Azerbaijan. Dr. Amiraslanov is a member of international culinary associations working to reintroduce traditional food into the former Soviet republics. th Wednesday, August 6 A perfect tone was set as a prelude to the conference sessions beginning Wednesday, August 6 th . Mr. Lacee Harris, a Ute Indian Medicine Man, offered up a moving Native American prayer to the four directions and to —Father Sky“ and —Mother Earth.“ While the Ute language was not comprehended by most, it was clear that our world was encompassed in this traditional benediction. A heartfelt welcome by Bountiful mayor, Joe Johnson, ensued. Introductory remarks were made by IOV President, Carmen Padilla and IOV Secretary General, Hans Holz; George Frandsen, IOV USA President, explained the problems causing Ute Medicine Man Lacee Harris reduced ranks while Iveta Pirgova clarified the IOV mission to preserve Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The involvement of UNESCO with ICH was initially addressed in a session chaired by Kinga Czerwinska of Poland. Dr. Mila Santova, head of Bulgaria‘s Cultural Delegation to UNESCO, explained the Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of 2003 and its later renditions. Carmen Padilla, UNESCO Commissioner from the Philippines and Vice-Chair of UNESCO‘s Southeast Asian Regional Memory of the World (MOW) Commission, discussed the programs UNESCO currently has for preservation of ICH. Dr. Kinga Czerwinska Prof. Mila Santova (Poland) (Bulgaria) 2 The afternoon session, chaired by Dr. Iveta Pirgova (USA), continued with presentations on UNESCO‘s role in safeguarding ICH. In the evening, after congress participants had enjoyed dinner with host families, they joined Summerfest activities at the annual Festival Street Dance on Bountiful‘s historic Main Street. The visiting dance companies regaled those assembled with performances of traditional dance and provided moments so those interested could join in. Dr. Iveta Pirgova, Congress Thursday, August 7th Chair (USA) The focus of Thursday‘s sessions entailed the Preservation, Adaptation and Presentation of ICH. The morning session was chaired by Vincent Reyes of Guam. Mr. Reyes‘s paper described his personal efforts to revive Chamorro dance, which was destroyed during the Spanish colonial period. With the enthusiastic involvement of the young people he teaches in Guam‘s public schools, Mr. Reyes has succeeded in capturing the interest of students and parents with his touring and performing program. Milan Gabrovec of Slovenia related efforts to preserve folk culture by instituting folk dance as part of the school curriculum. Professor Gabrovec is head master in a primary school which has had a program for teaching folk dance and music to students for over 50 years. Natalija Trivic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Milan Gabroved (Slovenia) explained how folk tradition connects the various cultures of Bosnia. Ms. Trivic and others from her town of Banjaluka organized a festival in 2008 to Natalija Trivic (Bosnia) bring the ethnically diverse communities of the Balkans together for a week of folk dance presentations. The festival was so successful it will be an annual event. The next session, continuing this theme, was chaired by Professor Anna Lydaki of Greece, who also gave a paper on Gypsies in Greece. Lydaki has published extensively on the history and traditions of the Roma people in Europe. Tian Long of China presented on the role media play s in popularizing traditional music and songs, which in turn assures the survival of traditions for future generations. Prof. Anna Lydaki (Greece) 3 Pasang Sherpa of Nepal spoke on the plan for quality schools in the Sherpa villages of the mountainous regions of Nepal in an effort to preserve traditional culture. He related how the present system of sending Sherpa children to schools in Kathmandu is leaving children without cultural ties to their families and Sherpa communities. This is leading to the loss of the Sherpa language, disrespect for its traditions and ignorance of holidays and rituals. It is hoped that building quality schools will encourage parents to educate their children in the areas where they live so it will no longer be deemed necessary to send them away to live in boarding schools in other parts of Nepal. Paseng Sherpa (Nepal) A reunion of longtime friends Etienne Vankeirsbilck, IOV Co- founder (Belgium) and Professor Mary Bee Jensen (USA) Kate Davidson, recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism, informed about the Indian Placement Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints and its impact on Native American culture, Kate Davidson (USA) especially Navajo. Davidson, who is a producer at National Public Radio in Washington, D.C., spent a year living with the Navajo in Arizona while producing the documentary. Her lecture was well attended by members of the public, many of whom had personal experience with the Program which was discontinued in 1979. Lunch was generously provided by George Frandsen‘s family in the form of an American style picnic. In addition to great food, the setting under the trees near the city complex provided an additional opportunity for socializing and forging new friendships. The Rocky Mountain Dancers from Arvada, Colorado were on hand to entertain with traditional music and dance. Peggy Pingle, the group‘s director, demonstrated the American tradition of square dance calling. Colorado Rocky Mountain Dancers directed by Peggy Pingle 4 Congress participants enjoy an American-style picnic lunch in the park The afternoon was devoted to a working session and then a group session of ICH Urgent Need Projects. Four working groups met and then presented proposed projects in a session moderated by Davron Azizov of Uzbekistan. The Urgent Need Project addressed one agenda item of the congress, to determine ICH projects for endangered traditions. For example, Iveta Pirgova recommended identifying three Native American cultures (East, West, and Central, with at least one on a reservation). Also discussed was the ancient city of Nesebar, Bulgaria, which will receive UNESCO funding for its preservation and will work with IOV members to showcase its traditional culture. In addition, a working farm as a living museum is to be established in West Herzgovina. An ongoing project, Nanjing YunJin Brocade Institute of China, has applied to UNESCO and IOV for support. IOV delegates attended the Summerfest Festival Opening Ceremony in the evening. All were invited to wear traditional dress and many joined with national flags in a parade through the festival grounds to the main stage. The performance opened with Mr. Lacee Harris, a Ute Medicine Man, again offering a blessing. Carol Dries sang the National Anthem. Three hundred dancers, singers and musicians, members of traditional performing arts IOV presents the Official Beijing 2008 Olympic Flag at Summerfest companies from eight foreign International as Opening Ceremonies occur in Beijing nations, presented a varied program of international dance. They came from Costa Rico, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Russia (Cossacks) and Russian Siberia, South Korea and the U.S.A. 5 Opening Performance of the 20 th Anniversary Celebration of Summerfest International th Friday, August 8 The original schedule for Friday, August 8 th divided parallel sessions between two buildings, the Bountiful Davis Art Center and the Bountiful City