Brass Bands England prepares UNESCO living heritage submission for brass banding
Brass Bands England is preparing a submission to have brass banding included in the UK’s new UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory, and is inviting feedback from across the sector before the deadline later this month.
The move follows the UK’s backing of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The new inventory will document ‘living heritage’ traditions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with 2025 marking the first year of submissions.
BBE plans to submit an Expression of Interest describing brass banding as a distinctive musical subculture rooted in nineteenth-century industrial, religious and military communities, but still evolving in contemporary Britain. The organisation says it wants the submission to reflect brass banding as an overarching artform, while also recognising the importance of regional and local traditions within the movement.
Sue Pope, Heritage Programmes Manager at Brass Bands England, said the organisation would also be keen to support individuals who want to make separate submissions representing local traditions, contests, festivals or other elements of banding culture.