Evaluating intangible cultural heritage safeguarding in the case of Slavonia, Baranya and Syrmia

Safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage resources: historical and traditional cultural assets, speeches, customs in Slavonia, Baranya and Syrmia (Eastern Croatia) is evaluated in this paper. Intangible cultural heritage is threatened generally but situation is even worse in Eastern Croatia as it is the most underdeveloped region in the Republic of Croatia. Ongoing processes of intangible cultural heritage assets disappearance due to the influence of a number of factors should be stopped and preferably reversed where and if it is possible. Republic of Croatia recognises and protects intangible cultural heritage since the formulation of the Act on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods in 1999. At the moment 139 intangible cultural heritage assets have been listed in the Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia and there are six more on the waiting list. Subject of this evaluation is current situation with motivation on setting up of a concept and a new base for preservation, analysis, dissemination and education of intangible cultural heritage in this region with focus on speeches preservation. The digital information contexts in relation to intangible cultural heritage is presented with an outline of the digitalisation and dissemination aspects, its nature and state of progress with references and examples from different projects in progress. Educational segment is considered thru technology enhanced learning where current and emerging technologies and their applications call for the multidisciplinary approach where history and technology meet.