Selection of ICH for teaching and learning
Meet pilot projects of Ukrainian schools
February 7, 2023Telling on selected ICH
February 16, 2023
Teachers of the First city gymnasium of Cherkasy decided to involve students in selecting the living heritage element for the pilot project “Teaching and learning with living heritage in Ukraine” at is currently being implemented in their school.
They first thought about “buzynnyk”, a delicious elderberry desert, but the process of preparation includes gathering elderberries in the countryside, which should take place during summer. Therefore, they decided to turn to elements inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. After long discussions a shortlist was established and students will probably have to do their final choice among four elements: two elements related to crafts: Ukrainian pysankas (decorated Easter eggs) and motanka dolls (traditional rag dolls symbolizing protection over families), and two elements related to food: varenikidumplings (dish from boiled dough without any filling but sometimes with a sauce) or kulish (traditional pottage, made of millet, salo, potatoes and onions).
“Active voting will take place on the www.fcg.ck.ua this week. Personally, I would like to work with Easter eggs. As a history teacher, I understand that painting eggs can be viewed from different perspectives – both as a means of learning and as a subject of study. However, the element will be chosen by the majority of student votes.” – Kateryna Sukhenko, the school project coordinator said.
This pilot project “Teaching and learning with living heritage in Ukraine” is carried out by the NGO Development Center “Democracy through the Culture”, accredited under the UNESCO 2003 Convention, in close cooperation with the Living Heritage Entity and the support of the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund.In the first phase, 15 primary and secondary schools across Ukraine (including 10 UNESCO Associated schools) are pilot testing the proposed methodology on integrating living heritage elements in core subjects, such as mathematics, physics or literature. The project is based on a methodology elaborated within a joint UNESCO/EU project in 2021.