Peer Review for the National Inventory Open Until April 8 – come give your expert evaluation!

The Finnish Heritage Agency received 30 applications for the National Inventory of Living Heritage from a total of 130 applicants. The Agency has conducted a technical review of the applications, of which 28 passed. The review assessed the length of the application, the eligibility of the applicant, and whether the proposed element is intangible cultural heritage.

The applications that passed the review are now open for expert evaluation. Experts may include practitioners of the tradition, researchers, museum or archive professionals, or teachers in various fields.

There are nine craft traditions, five festive traditions, and five nature-related applications to be evaluated. In the category of performing arts there are three performing arts traditions, one music and dance application, and two oral tradition applications included. One application concerns games and play.

Expert comments play a significant role in assessing candidates for the national inventory. So take this valuable opportunity to participate and make an impact! Feel free to share the opportunity with other knowledgeable individuals or organizations.

In their comments, evaluators consider, among other things, the vitality and sustainability of the tradition, continuity and ability to adapt, and its significance to the identity of its practitioners. Comments are not visible to other evaluators—they are only accessible to the Finnish Heritage Agency and the expert group on intangible cultural heritage.

How to participate:

• Go to the main page of the Living Heritage wiki inventory.
• Create an account from the top right corner using your own name or your organization’s name. An administrator will grant you the rights to evaluate applications.
• If you already have an account but no evaluator rights, request them by emailing hilla.makela@museovirasto.fi.
• If you have participated in previous evaluations, you can log in and go directly to the application evaluation page.
• Leave your comment by clicking the “evaluate” button next to an application. The application is readable below the evaluation view.
• Remember that your evaluation must be based on UNESCO’s and the national inventory’s evaluation criteria. These are available in this document. Write your assessment based on them.
• The recommended maximum length of the comment is 1,000 characters.
• Remember to add your name and, if applicable, the organization you represent at the end of your comment.
• Submit your evaluation no later than midnight on April 8, 2026.

The Ministry of Education and Culture decides which elements are included in the national inventory based on the recommendations of the Finnish Heritage Agency and the expert group on intangible cultural heritage. So far, the Ministry has listed 86 elements. Being selected for the National Inventory of Living Heritage is a recognition for the communities involved. The inventory increases visibility for traditions and strengthens the process of safeguarding living heritage. It is also a step closer to international recognition.

The national inventory is compiled as part of UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The UNESCO Convention also includes listing intangible cultural heritage at national and international levels. The national inventory is based on the Living Heritage wiki inventory, which has an ongoing call for contributions. The wiki now includes over 280 articles from around 470 contributors. There are articles in seven languages.

Traditions applying to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists must already be included in the national inventory. This does not apply to the UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. The next call for UNESCO nominations will be in autumn 2026, focusing on Good Safeguarding Practices.

Finland’s inscriptions on UNESCO lists are the Sauna culture in Finland (2020) and Kaustinen fiddle playing (2021). Finland is also involved in multinational traditions, including Nordic clinker boat traditions (2021) and knowledge, skill, and techniques related to handmade glass (2023). The joint Swedish–Finnish nomination on Torne River dip net fishing is currently under evaluation, with a decision expected in December 2027.

More information:
Leena Marsio, Finnish Heritage Agency
leena.marsio@museovirasto.fi, tel. 0295 33 6017

Elsewhere online:

Living Heritage wiki inventory

National Inventory of Living Heritage

Information on the implementation of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage convention in Finland

UNESCO’s international intangible cultural heritage lists