Seventeenth Anniversary of the  UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Proclamation 

Seventeenth Anniversary of the  UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Proclamation

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New York   – The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is proud to  celebrate the 17th  Anniversary of UNESCO’s Proclamation of the Garifuna Language, Music and Dance as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

To celebrate this special occasion, the Garifuna Coalition USA, is sponsoring  the  “Contemporary Garifuna Art Exhibit” by Garifuna Artist Isidra Sabio“. The exhibit will run from May 18, 2018 – May 20, 2018 with an opening reception today Friday, May 18, 2018 from 6-9 p.m.  at El Fogon Arts Center, 989 Home St, Bronx, NY 10459, featuring a cultural presentation by Lisanigu Bodoma Garinagu Kids Traditional Band.

On May 18th, 2001 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the first time awarded the title of “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangibles Heritage of Humanity,” to 19 outstanding cultural spaces of forms of expression from different regions of the world. The Garifuna Language, Dance and Music were among those declared “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangibles Heritage of Humanity.”

The goals were safeguarding and ensuring its viability (continued enactment and transmission), awareness rising, sharing and celebrating the Garifuna Intangible Cultural Heritage, dialogue, and respect for cultural diversity.

During the Regional Forum on the Promotion and safeguarding of the Garifuna Intangible Heritage for Sustainable Development, held in Livingston, Guatemala on September 19 – 21, 2005, the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. was designated as a partner and the lead organization that is responsible for safeguarding preserving and revitalizing of the Garifuna Culture in the United States.

Garifuna Cultural Heritage consists of the intangible and tangible aspects of the whole body of cultural practices, resources and knowledge systems developed, nurtured and refined by Garifuna people which have been transmitted or continues to be transmitted from generation to generation, and are crucial for the sense of identity and continuity of their communities. Garifuna Cultural Heritage includes: Language, Literature, Performing and Artistic Works (Music, Dance, Drama, Theater), Visual Arts & Crafts.

Garifuna literature refers to the written word and text produced by Garifuna people. Knowledge, history and other cultural information have been orally transmitted through many Garifuna generations. Now, Garifuna writing has an important place in the transmission of Garifuna culture.

Garifuna performance is an important part of Garifuna culture – ceremony, storytelling, and celebration, mourning, coming together and telling of events in Garifuna people’s lives, both past and present.

For Garifuna culture, the visual arts and craft are central to identity, place and belonging, and is an expression of a unique and continuing tradition. The visual arts and craft have an important place in the continuing survival of cultures.

Garifuna visual arts and craft is a primary means of transmitting Garifuna culture and communicating identity, place and belonging. Garifuna knowledge, history and other cultural information have been, and continue to be orally transmitted through many generations. Garifuna visual artists record knowledge, landscape and ideas. This unique Garifuna tradition is facing extinction, which  is the reason the Garifuna Coalition USA, is sponsoring the  “Contemporary Garifuna Art Exhibit” by Garifuna Artist Isidra Sabio“. The exhibit will run from May 18, 2018 – May 20, 2018 with an opening reception today Friday, May 18, 2018 from 6-9 p.m.  at El Fogon Arts Center, 989 Home St, Bronx, NY 10459, featuring a cultural presentation by Lisanigu Bodoma Garinagu Kids Traditional Band.

Garifuna people view the world they live in as an integrated whole. Their beliefs, knowledge, arts and other forms of cultural expression have been handed down through the generations. The many stories, songs, dances, paintings and other forms of expression are therefore important aspects of Cultural knowledge, power and identity.

As the “Cultural Capital” of the World, New York City has the privilege of hosting one of the original “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.  As a partner and the lead organization that is responsible for safeguarding preserving and revitalizing of the Garifuna Culture in the United States, the Garifuna Coalition USA, inc. is proud of confronting the erosion of the Garifuna culture in the heart of modern day communities and invites you to  celebrate at the  “Contemporary Garifuna Art Exhibit” by Garifuna Artist Isidra Sabio“, opening reception today Friday, May 18, 2018 from 6-9 p.m.  at El Fogon Arts Center, 989 Home St, Bronx, NY 10459, featuring a cultural presentation by Lisanigu Bodoma Garinagu Kids Traditional Band.

Happy Garifuna Arts & Culture Appreciation Month in NYC! 

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