The Cultural Heritage, Public Institute celebrated the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage on October 17th, a date coinciding with the 23rd anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The institution organized around fifty activities in collaboration with various entities and communities across the country, aiming to celebrate Living Heritage and reinforce concepts such as diversity, collective memory, transmission, and identity.
On Monday, October 16th, a Commemorative Session was held at the Casa das Artes in Porto. The event was attended by the Secretary of State for Culture, Alberto Santos, the President and Vice-President of the Board of Directors of Património Cultural, I.P., João Soalheiro and Ana Catarina Sousa, the Councillor for Culture of the Porto Municipal Council, Jorge Sobrado, the Vice-President of CCDR Norte for Culture, Rui Costa, and dozens of mayors and representatives of institutions and associations.
The auditorium of Casa das Artes was filled to witness the presentation of commemorative plaques to the manifestations inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2026, which were presented by their representatives. Among the honored manifestations are the Entrudo de Lazarim (Lamego Municipal Council), the Combate da Coca (Monção Municipal Council), the Arte da Construção dos Muros em Pedra Seca no Maciço Calcário de Sicó (Terras de Sicó), and the Feira da Golegã (National Horse Fair Association).
At the opening session, the Secretary of State for Culture highlighted the role of communities in the perpetuation and transformation of intangible heritage, stating that "The UNESCO Convention of 2023 describes intangible heritage as being constantly recreated by communities. It therefore recognizes that transformation is part of this idea of continuity. This capacity for creation also allows for the emergence of new traditions (...) and recognition must also respect this capacity for creation and choice".
The commemorative session also included the inauguration of the traveling exhibition “Culturas Vivas – Inventário Nacional do Património Cultural Imaterial 2026”, on display at Casa das Artes on October 16th and 17th, and which will tour the country. Technicians from Património Cultural, I.P. and CCDR NORTE will be available at Casa das Artes to clarify doubts about the inventory process.
