UNESCO marks third International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO's third International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage highlights more than 100 community activities, from timber rafting in Spain to mbira performances in Zimbabwe.
The story in focus
UNESCO marked the third International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on 17 October 2026, with communities, heritage bearers and institutions worldwide holding more than 100 activities listed on a dedicated webpage. The Day, proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in 2023, focuses on safeguarding living heritage and passing knowledge between generations.
- The Day was proclaimed at UNESCO's 42nd General Conference in 2023 and this was its third edition.
- More than 100 activities are featured on the campaign's dedicated webpage.
- Common themes include learning through practice and exchange between generations.
What communities are doing
Activities submitted for the 2026 edition span several continents and formats. In Spain, a canoe trip on the River Ebro introduces children and young people to timber rafting alongside practitioners who sustain the tradition. In Zimbabwe, students and lecturers at Bondolfi Teachers College staged an exhibition combining mbira and marimba performances with traditional foodways and clothing.
In Poznań, Poland, a workshop lets participants explore embroidery techniques from the traditional women's costumes of the Bamberg community and create their own motif. Traditional dance performances and folk group gatherings in Santa Catarina, Brazil, bring communities together, while a seminar in Uzbekistan examines how knowledge about nature, including water management and agriculture, is transmitted. A subregional forum in Oman looks at visual arts and institutional partnerships.
Who takes part
States Parties to the 2003 Convention, Category 2 centres under UNESCO's auspices, UNESCO Chairs and accredited non-governmental organisations contribute to the mobilisation, alongside communities, heritage bearers and practitioners. UNESCO says the online campaign aims to raise public awareness, support transmission of knowledge and skills, and encourage broader participation in safeguarding.
A poster designed for the 2026 edition and adaptable social media templates are available for free download to support outreach.
When was the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage proclaimed?
UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed the Day at its 42nd session in 2023. The 2026 observance on 17 October was the third edition, with more than 100 activities featured online.
Sources & further reading
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
