Dear Panflute friends and Rumanian Folk Music lovers,

Today proudly I can annonce UNESCO's decision :

Rumanian DOINA is Inscribed in 2009 on the

Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity !

The Doina is a lyrical, solemn chant that is improvised and spontaneous. As the
essence of Romanian folklore, until 1900 it was the only musical genre in many
regions of the country. Technically, the doina can be sung in any context
(outdoors, at home, at work or during wakes), and is always performed solo, with
or without instrumental accompaniment (which might include the traditional
straight flute, bagpipes and even improvised instruments). There are several
regional variants. The doina has a wide-ranging expressive and thematic palette
that spans joy, sadness, solitude, social conflicts, brigand attacks, love and
so on. Expressing as it does the personal qualities, emotions and virtuosity of
the creator-performer, the doina also plays an important social role by
providing a cathartic outlet that strengthens solidarity. It has also given rise
to other artistic genres (dances). Today, the doina is under threat locally
because of a break in the line of transmission from parent to child. Although
some fifteen people have been identified as representatives of the various types
of doina, an environment conducive to performance and transmission must be
restored in order to ensure that this important feature of Romania's intangible
cultural heritage continues to flourish.

Decision 4.COM 13.69
The Committee (…) decides that [this element] satisfies the criteria for
inscription on the Representative List, as follows:

R1: The Doina has been transmitted, mainly inside families, in many parts of
Romania, where people regard it as part of their cultural heritage and their
identity;
R2: Inscription of the element on the Representative List would bear witness to
human creativity and would contribute to enhancing the visibility of intangible
cultural heritage;
R3: Current, recent and intended efforts to ensure the viability of the element
are described and it is demonstrated that the concerned parties have the will
and commitment to safeguard the element through the measures identified;
R4: The support of the State for the nomination is complemented by the consent
of the communities and practitioners;
R5: The element is included on the national inventory by the National Commission
for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?RL=00192#dec