Call for papers
You are warmly invited to the international conference How Sustainable Is Dance as ICH? The closing conference of the project Dance as ICH: New Models of Facilitating Participatory Dance Events [Dance - ICH], which will be held at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 21 to 23 May 2025.
Carried out between 2022 and 2025, the Dance - ICH project explores facilitation of dance as intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and the relationship between dance heritage communities, museums, heritage, academic and research institutions and the public. The nine project partners share knowledge and strengthen the capacity of participatory dances and their venues. We discuss elements of our shared European dance traditions, defined as all dances learned through unorganised and organised visual-kinetic transmission, best achieved by dancing with other dancers to local traditional dance music.
New functions of researchers, museum curators and cultural workers, and how these institutional roles can facilitate and co-create with the local dance heritage communities, have been tested in order to find sustainable solutions for safeguarding the dance activity.
This project will be summarised in a closing conference with a focus on the sustainability of dance as ICH. The conference organisers welcome papers from a broad range of approaches addressing the relationship between dance as living heritage, institutions and sustainability in all its diversity. A variety of scholarly standpoints, voices and disciplines is encouraged, as well as contributions from professionals working in the interface of dance and sustainability within the museum, cultural, education and heritage sectors. The conference aims to highlight the following two perspectives:
1. Sustainability and resilience of traditional dance in the 21st century
In recent decades, there has been a growing focus on the sustainability and resilience of dance and dance practices. As part of academic research, scholars have explored dance’s renewable character and its dynamic role as a cultural living heritage resource, particularly in relation to sustainable societal development. Recognising the crucial need to promote further studies in this field, the conference aims to delve into the vibrant and evolving role of dance for the sustainable development of local communities within postmodern society, exploring its enduring significance and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
The living dance heritage is influenced by a multitude of factors, making it challenging to determine which are the most significant ones. Today, dance events are co-shaped by the people participating – dancers, musicians and observers – in a given space and time. Our conference will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues, challenges, changing circumstances and contemporary movements that affect the dance practice nowadays and will do so in the future. This conference aims to address the importance of sustainable structures and resilience of dance practices through dance space, the accompanying dance music, social inclusion, community wellbeing and intergenerational transmission.
2. Challenges of the musealisation of dance as intangible cultural heritage
Dance as a living form of ICH presents a considerable challenge regarding the engagement of audiences in a museum context and its museum presentations. Interactive exhibitions, live performances and workshops can help overcome these obstacles. We would like to transform the museum exhibition arena into a dancefloor. But how to achieve this? How to musealise dance as something entirely intangible? No special shoes or clothes are needed for dancing, one can dance accompanied by singing or music. There are no objects, there is no tangible product at the end of dancing. What is there to exhibit?
The musealisation of dance as ICH thus requires innovative, technological and collaborative approaches to overcoming the challenges inherent in the safeguarding and presentation processes. By integrating research, active and participatory community engagement, and by implementing appropriate educational strategies, museums can develop cultural events and exhibitions that not only safeguard but also enhance the richness and diversity of dance.
Submission Guidelines:
Abstracts must be written in English and should not exceed 300 words.
Include a brief biography (up to 150 words).
Please submit your proposal via this form.
Important Dates to Remember:
Deadline for abstract submission: 15 October 2024
Notification of acceptance: 1 December 2024
If you encounter any problems or have further questions or concerns, please feel free to email the Programme Committee at info@dancingaslivingheritage.eu. To keep yourself updated about this event, check for updates here on our website, and like and follow us on our Facebook Page.
Conference Programme Committee:
Tone Erlien Myrvold (Sff, Norway), Dr. Rebeka Kunej (ZRC SAZU, Slovenia), Dr. Simona Malearov (Astra, Romunia), Dr. Zoi N. Margari (HFRC-AA, Greece), Dr. Dóra Pál-Kovács (Skanzen, Hungary), Debora Plouy (CEMPER, Belgium), Adela Pukl (SEM, Slovenia).
The conference is co-funded by the European Union and Aris - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency.