“Intangible cultural heritage” in the Republic of Khakassia: development of concept (late XX – early XXI centuries)

The paper analyses the formation of the concept of «Intangible cultural heritage» in Khakassia Republic. The study is based on UNESCO conventions, UNESCO protection programs, federal, republican legislative and administrative acts, programs for the conservation of intangible cultural heritage in the regions of the republic, materials of the republican newspaper «Khakassia». The researcher reviews the relevant terminological apparatus, compares approaches to intangible cultural heritage at the international, national, and regional levels, and identifies institutions dealing with the forms of intangible heritage in Khakassia and selection criteria for registries. It is shown that one of the main functions of intangible cultural values is the function of ethnic self-identification. Local communities perceive intangible cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable development. Activities in the field of intangible heritage are distributed among various institutions: regional and municipal authorities, museums, public organizations, and cultural centers. The expanded interpretation of heritage, which includes intangible heritage, is changing the form of work of the museum community. The ethnic groups of the republic are widely involved in preserving intangible cultural heritage and its promotion is ensured by open-air museums staff. Local communities become full-fledged organizers of cultural events in the museum space; participate in the popularization of cultural values, knowledge, and skills. The intangible and the material forms of heritage are closely related, moreover, criteria and approaches that are associated with tangible values are often applied to the intangible heritage in laws and administrative documents, and in programs for the heritage development. Often, special attention is given to the preservation of objects, rather than cultural practices, knowledge and skills, not living heritage, but preserving the memory of what existed before.