Guidelines
Traditional/Folk Performing Arts to be covered
Traditional/Folk Performing Arts to be covered by this Programme are performing arts found in each country with the element(s) of music and/or dance and/or theatre (including puppetry). They include those passed down through generations to be performed at local festivities by local people. They include, also, those performing arts which have been refined to be played mainly on stage by professionals. Please note, therefore, that performing arts to be covered by this Programme include not only those inspired by essentially folk tradition, but also those which have for a long time been promoted by royal courts and noble families.
When selecting those performing arts, the participating countries are asked to comply with the following conditions:
- Each participating country will choose around ten traditional/folk performing arts.
- The performing art chosen must be native to the country and must be highly valued therein for its unique and distinctive features.
- In addition, that particular traditional/folk performing art has to meet all the following criteria:
- it is recognized to be on the verge of extinction.
- it is generally considered as a target of a social and/or national effort for preservation and revitalization because of its cultural value.
- it is considered to deserve more national and international recognition.
Organisations to be covered
Each participating country chooses around five institutions/organisations in accordance with the following conditions:
- The institutions/organizations chosen must be of the respective country, and playing important roles in the field of preservation and promotion of traditional/folk performing arts. They include departments of national government, national or local government institutions, as well as international and/or local NGOs, including those with departments/sections within them dealing with performing arts.
- Private, for-profit enterprise, however, is not to be included.
- Performers' groups organized mainly for performing purpose are also to be excluded.
