Conseil Régional de La Réunion

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Intangible cultural heritage is mentioned in the museum's scientific and cultural project. It is a technical and industrial museum that has evolved into a museum of society.

The safeguarding activity is done on two fronts: a new look at the collections to make them speak differently by identifying the knowledge and the active practitioners who are associated with them, and a census of intangible cultural heritage activities in the territory for knowledge related to the museum.

Today what is done most often is the valorization of tales and music. Practitioners come to the museum in residence and meet the public with whom they do a transmission work (instrument making workshop, writing workshop ...).

Musée, Territoire et Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel

Description of the project / practice / program

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The project takes place in different phases. During a preparatory meeting with the museum management, the mediation team, the cultural programme, the collection manager and the documentation department, a work plan is defined on the objectives and resources of the project.

Subsequently, there are work sessions with the collections manager who is involved in the documentation of each object. Identification takes place of practices associated with the elements of the collection, organised in the five domains of intangible cultural heritage according to the 2003 UNESCO Convention. In addition, intangible cultural heritage practices in the territory of the museum are also identified, and an inventory is made both in the museum and among practitioners.

Among the first practices to be successfully documented are the Tamil ball, the celebration of blessing tools before the sugar campaign, the gravel ball, the preparation of cane juice, etc.

How were practitioners of intangible cultural heritage involved?

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The programme is dual-entry and is focused on intangible cultural heritage as a vector for collaboration and participation for practitioners who are in the same territory where the museum factory is located. Practices associated with the collections and practices on the territory are identified. An inventory and presentation is made with practitioners, either in the museum or at the practice site.

Photo: (c) Conseil Régional de La Réunion

CV of the author

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Eric Alendroit is responsible for the inventory of cultural heritage, tangible and intangible. He is a consultant coach in change management and business creation, and is responsible for associative organizations in the fields: knowledge and enhancement of cultural heritage, the professional activity of people with disabilities and reflection on the process of emancipation through action.