01570nas a2200133   4500000000100000008004100001260003300042100001400075245003300089856015200122300001200274520110300286020004701389                                       d  bEdward Elgar Publishing Ltd.1 aT. Cuccia00aIntangible cultural heritage  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85140107653&doi=10.4337%2f9781788975803.00039&partnerID=40&md5=dd23914cab36b552d3132b85d90f233b  a294-3033 aThe chapter deals with intangible cultural heritage (ICH), based on the definition reported in the 2003 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH. This definition covers a large range of material and immaterial expressions of local cultures, considered as a living cultural treasure for local communities. The reasons that – after almost 30 years from the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage – led UNESCO to focus on the preservation of ICT are explained. In particular, we consider the economic phenomena that threaten the survival of the immaterial culture widespread in the world; usually a tacit knowledge, transmitted with difficulty through codified procedures and protected by intellectual property rights. The economic reasons that justify the preservation of ICH are investigated, underlining the role that ICH can play in fostering creativity and innovation. The real enforcement capacity of UNESCO Conventions, and other local and national policies, are discussed.  a9781788975803 (ISBN); 9781788975797 (ISBN)