New system to identify ICH bearers aims to strengthen cultural heritage transmission

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on Wednesday announced the mechanism and criteria for recognizing bearers of items on Hong Kong’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with applications to open early next year and the first group of recognized bearers expected to be announced within 2026.

According to the LCSD, applications will be accepted from January 6 to March 2 next year. Application forms will be available for download from the website of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office, and applicants will be required to submit the completed forms together with supporting documents in person to the Hong Kong ICH Centre.

Hong Kong currently has 24 items on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a formal mechanism and set of criteria would be developed to recognize bearers of these items in order to strengthen the safeguarding and transmission of ICH in the city.

The ICH Office said it developed the mechanism and criteria with reference to the national ICH representative bearer recognition and management system, as well as those adopted in Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region, while taking into account the specific needs of ICH inheritance in Hong Kong.

Under the mechanism, recognized bearers will be responsible for launching inheritance programs related to their respective ICH items, nurturing successors, properly preserving relevant physical objects and information, conducting research, and participating in promotional or educational activities.

The LCSD said applicants must be Hong Kong permanent residents and are required to provide details of their line of inheritance or mentorship background, as well as their learning and practical experience.

They must also submit information demonstrating their knowledge of the relevant ICH item, mastery of its core techniques, and related achievements, together with supporting documents and evidence.

Assessment criteria include a high level of technical mastery, with more than 20 years of inheritance and practical experience in Hong Kong. Applicants must also be representative figures in their respective fields, with considerable influence and recognition, and play an important role in the transmission of the ICH item.

Active engagement in inheritance activities and the nurturing of successors will also be required, according to the LCSD.

In addition, applicants are expected to demonstrate patriotism, dedication, law-abiding conduct, and excellence in both moral integrity and practice related to the ICH item.

The LCSD said the first batch of recognized ICH bearers is expected to be announced within next year.