01984nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001653002200042653002600064653002200090653003900112653004000151100002400191700001700215700001500232700001300247700000900260700002100269700001300290700002100303700002000324700001600344700001400360700001800374700001500392700002000407245012900427520112600556       2025                            d10acollective action10acollective gatherings10aimpact assessment10aIntangible cultural heritage (ICH)10asustainable development goals (SDG)1 aC. Rincón-Unigarro1 aA. Jaramillo1 aC. Riascos1 aG. Checa1 aS. y1 aW. López-López1 aD. Páez1 aL. Díaz-Fuentes1 aD. Gómez-Ortiz1 aC. Ordoñez1 aI. Ortíz1 aV. Velásquez1 aP. Venegas1 aJ.-C. Jaramillo00aArt in movement, art as movement: Collective action and collective gathering for intangible cultural heritage sustainability3 aCarnaval de Negros y Blancos is a mixed-race festive act inscribed on UNESCO s list of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). It hosts collective gatherings that provide opportunities for identity emergence and reaffirmation, where heritage owners lead top-down and bottom-up safeguarding efforts. This study aims to document the processes of collective action for sustainability, by analyzing top-down and bottom-up initiatives for safeguarding. We conducted a mixed-methods study in Pasto, Colombia, using data from interviews with ICH stakeholders (n = 59) and from surveys with carnival players (n = 403). Heritage safeguarding, peacebuilding, human expression, transcendent experience, and evolving identities are the main themes within safeguarding movements. Additionally, the quality of participation in the event, either as performer or not performer at Senda del Carnaval, relates to sociocognitive and emotional processes of both social movements and collective gatherings. Findings portray ICH as a context for sustainable cities and communities, as well as increased peace, justice, and responsive institutions.