Collections

The present collected data has been registered by teachers and students of associated schools in each of the countries. Each team has followed the shared methodologies, discussing them and sharing any difficulties encountered. The collections are organised in 3 main areas: Tangible Heritage, Intangible Heritage and Oral Memory. Although in every country these aspects of cultural heritage are officially identified and inventoried, during the course of this project we have aimed to identify and register the unknown heritage, the oral memory from our nearby communities, the one element which, although not represented in official narratives, play essential roles in knowing and preserving the rivers and streams of our affections.

 

The Tangible and Intangible Heritage, as presented by UNESCO, includes all of the built goods, objects and materials related to the usage of the riverbeds and their margins (such as boats, fishing instruments, mills and dams, factories and garments), and also the cultural practices related to them (such as songs, religious and vernacular traditions, gastronomy, dance, know-how and techniques such as sailing and fishing techniques). All of these aspects help us to understand the importance of the river as factors of economic and cultural development, encompassing sports and tourism.

 

 

Oral Memory stands as a specific collection of materials regarding the oral testimonies of the people who in different ways relate to the rivers in question. These testimonies may be related to the tangible and intangible aspects of the heritage but require a specific methodology of registration. They also convey the symbolic means and feelings of these roleplayers towards the rivers. More than just items, they affirm the importance of each life course in taking part of our shared History.