Cultural news in the Vologda region

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts.

Intangible cultural heritage is considered by Member States of UNESCO in relation to the tangible World Heritage focusing on intangible aspects of culture. Intangible cultural heritage includes song, music, drama, skills, crafts, and the other parts of culture that can be recorded but cannot be touched and interacted with, without a vehicle for the culture.

Vologda lace has won deserved fame and world-wide recognition for its high artistic value, rich ornament, and excellent workmanship. The earliest laces, which have reached us, date back to the 17th century. The lace woven from golden and silver threads decorated rich civilian and church garments and was mostly used by the nobility.

Vologda lace is a kind of Russian lace tatted with bobbins. Vologda has always been one of the main centres of Russian lace tatting, and in the 19th century it became the most famous one. It was that time when lace-makers began to tat lace patterns in the form of wonderful stars and snowflakes. Vologda lace reminds of hoarfrost on winter glass, which will disappear under the first rays of the March sun. It looks like a thin spider line, which will be torn by a waft of wind. They are like symbols of something innocent and momentary.

Vologda Region Governor Oleg Kuvshinnikov supports the idea to include Vologda lace into the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List of the UNESCO. «I am sure that I will express the unanimous opinion of all residents of the region that the famous Vologda lace is worthy of being inscribed on UNESCO intangible heritage list».

Oleg Kuvshinnikov is convinced that the inclusion of Vologda lace in the list of masterpieces of the intangible heritage of mankind will be another step towards strengthening international cooperation between countries and boost a dialogue of world cultures.