Survey report; Intangible Cultural Heritage of Displaced Syrians

The report below presents the findings of a survey on the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of displaced Syrians. It also provides recommendations that the international community and the national authorities might find useful in their efforts to safeguard living heritage and promote social cohesion. The survey was based on interviews with 60 displaced Syrians and some members of the host communities who shared their experiences about safeguarding their ICH. The responses illustrate the important role that ICH can play in coping with displacement and enhancing bonds between refugees and host communities. It also demonstrates the ways in which displaced people find ways to continue to transmit and recreate their ICH. The respondents spoke about three main ICH domains, as explained in more detail below. These included customs and traditions (‘adad wa taqalid’), traditional artistic expressions (fann/plur. funun), and craftsmanship (al-hiraf al-yadawiya). The interviews showed that ICH provides a sense of belonging, mitigates psychological, social and economic resilience, and, in many cases, helps mediate conflicts by fostering intercultural communication and mutual appreciation. However, more support is needed to ensure the continued transmission of ICH in the particular circumstances of displacement, which entails encountering a new context and host community.