ICHCAP

Are you documenting your life? Since prehistoric times, humans have always engaged in the act of recording their experiences. From ancient cave paintings to modern digital media like photographs and videos, the practice of documentation has evolved alongside humanity, shaping history, tradition, and culture. The history of documentation spans numerous fields and employs various methods, including writing, photography, video, and audio recordings.

-Intangible Cultural Heritage and Documentation

Intangible heritage has also been documented through diverse media. In Korea, the "Act on the Preservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage" legally mandates the investigation and documentation of intangible heritage. Since 1995, the National Intangible Heritage Center has been leading a documentation project on the nation`s intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, since 2017, it has conducted a comprehensive survey of intangible heritage across the country to establish a national inventory and assess the current status of its transmission.

-Intangible Cultural Heritage Facing Extinction

Intangible cultural heritage designated by the Korea Heritage Service, including national and provincial intangible heritage, must be legally investigated and documented. However, while some aspects are recorded, others inevitably remain undocumented. To address the rapid disappearance of intangible cultural heritage due to industrialization and globalization, UNESCO has established an Urgent Safeguarding List. Similarly, to protect intangible heritage at risk of extinction in Korea, categories such as "Intangible Cultural Heritage with Weakened Transmission" and "National Urgent Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage" have been created, with 25 and 4 items designated, respectively. Additionally, non-designated intangible heritages exist that do not meet the criteria set by the Korea Heritage Service, such as historical significance, artistry, genealogy, and content.

Many of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage with Weakened Transmission" and non-designated intangible heritages face the common issue of being on the brink of extinction due to the aging of bearers and the lack of younger successors. While urgent protection measures may provide financial support for the revitalization of transmission, they do not prioritize documenting intangible heritage on the verge of disappearing. Although projects like the "Discovery and Fostering of Future Intangible Heritage" by the Korea Heritage Service aim to protect and cultivate non-designated intangible heritage at risk of extinction, these initiatives involve specific selection and differ from documentation projects in their objectives. Therefore, a separate documentation initiative specifically targeting intangible heritage at risk of extinction is essential for precise and thorough research.

Intangible Cultural Heritage is characterized by uniqueness, ethnicity, historicity, transmissibility, variability, and regionality¹⁾. Proper documentation is crucial to establish archives that reflect these characteristics, facilitating the creation of educational institutions and promotional efforts. Humanity has documented its existence for centuries, and this tradition continues today. If we fail to document the heritage that has been passed down through records for generations, the absence of these records in the future will surely be a source of great regret. It is imperative to establish specialized personnel and systems to continue the "history of documentation" concerning intangible heritage, ensuring that these invaluable cultural elements are preserved for future generations.

1) Kim, Kwang-Hee, “Conservation and Utilization of ICH in Korea”, 2013, pp.33-38