Salvaguardar el patrimonio cultural inmaterial: los artesanos de la tradición. El caso de los "Bonecos de Estremoz" (Portugal)

Abstract

This research is based on cultural and social anthropology, a perspective applied to a specific case study, the "Bonecos de Estremoz", a type of traditional handicraft made in this Portuguese town. The main theme of this work is the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The choice of the "Bonecos de Estremoz" as a case study is justified for different reasons, among them, because it belongs to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and it is protected by legal regulations on intellectual property. These facts make it a very unique example through which to analyse the impact of these tools on the safeguarding of an intangible heritage element. The traditional craftsmanship of Estremoz is a sensitive heritage manifestation, as are most of the elements that make up the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Safeguarding plans and intellectual property tools have been used to address potential vulnerabilities, as well as national and international regulations, such as the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. These are actions whose results have been analysed in this research. The case study was constructed on the basis of an exhaustive documentary review, field observations and interviews with actors involved in the craft activity in Estremoz and in the national and international bodies involved in the safeguarding of this property. From the findings derived from the research process, we were able to make a diagnosis on whether the processes developed provide a solid support to safeguard not only the heritage element of the bonecos, but the entire cultural heritage that permeates this manifestation of intangible cultural heritage in this territory of Portugal.