Feasts between community and city council: The necessity of good cooperation

This article argues a good relation between ICH community and municipality is of vital importance for the safeguarding of festive events and celebrations. A big part of the Dutch National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage consists of celebrations and festive events: 38 of the almost 100 elements on it can be placed in this domain. The Dutch Centre for Intangible Heritage has been appointed to be the competent body coordinating and composing the national inventory. In the Netherlands, the ICH communities draw up their own safeguarding plans with the help of the ICH consultants. Here, the most mentioned bottlenecks by the festive events are laws and regulations of all kinds: security, crowd management, health and safety manners, environmental laws and regulations concerning building locations for example. In many cases the communities and municipalities record their agreements in security plans and covenants. Many communities feel the pressure to grow bigger and bigger. But in many cases the bigger events get, the more rules, laws and regulations apply. Municipalities are in the end responsible for the safety of all people present. They decide to grant a permit for the event concerned or not. But intangible heritage and especially celebrations have also got a lot to offer a municipality, like a strong and social community, with a clear view on the future of their ICH. ICH connects people, it is beneficial for the local economy, it may attracts tourists and is a perfect way for a mayor to connect to the inhabitants.