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Brass music in Austria: UNESCO declares tradition a cultural heritage!
On December 6, 2024, Austrian brass bands were recognized as intangible cultural heritage, honored for their cultural contribution and the voluntary commitment of 140,000 musicians.
Brass music in Austria: UNESCO declares tradition a cultural heritage!
As part of a festive ceremony on December 6, 2024 at Zell an der Pram Castle (Upper Austria), new elements were added to the national list of intangible cultural heritage. Among the traditions honored is the “sound and playing tradition of Austrian brass bands”. The approximately 140,000 musicians who perform in colorful traditional costumes provide a total of over 28 million voluntary hours per year. Through rehearsals, performances and social engagements, they are an indispensable pillar of Austrian culture and community.
Inclusion in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage is more than just a title – it is a public recognition of the valuable contributions these bands make to society. These living cultural bearers connect generations and different social classes. Brass music is celebrated as a way of living together and promotes values such as democratic awareness, tolerance and teamwork. The organizations and communities that support such musical groups are called upon to actively cultivate and promote these types of culture.
UNESCO and the intangible cultural heritage
UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, launched in 2008, aims to make cultural diversity visible worldwide, including traditions such as music, dance and oral traditions. Austria ratified the Convention for the Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009 and is therefore part of a global network that protects different forms of cultural expression. Currently, the list includes 569 items from 136 countries, all linked to UNESCO's cultural heritage protection agenda, such as Wikipedia reports.
Recognition as intangible cultural heritage not only gives the bands prestige, but also obliges them to safeguard these traditions for future generations. This underlines the importance of cultural practices in harmony with a country's social development and cultural memory. Last but not least, communities can be proud to be part of this important cultural tradition!