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Folklore Without Borders

Folklore Without Borders is a network of researchers and practitioners aiming to embed greater equality, diversity and inclusion within UK folklore.

The network is focused on the UK, with participants from all over the world. It connects three groups who work with cultural tradition:

The network meets regularly throughout the year. Contact Professor Matthew Cheeseman, the network co-convenor, to join.

Call for submissions

A call for submissions has opened for inventories of living heritage in the UK, asking communities to submit their traditions and heritage practices.

The call for submissions will be open for 4 months until Friday 27 March 2026. During this period, there will be a range of information sessions, workshops and events.

Explaining 'living heritage'

Find out what living heritage means

Explaining Living Heritage

Living heritage (or ‘intangible cultural heritage’) includes folklore, performance, customs and crafts that are passed on from generation to generation.

The creation of the UK-wide inventories aims to start a conversation about living heritage; what we value and how we collectively safeguard it for future generations.

Living Heritage is a broad subject that can include everything from bell-ringing to boat-building, cèilidh to carnival, pantomime to pancake day, Highland Games to Eisteddfod, Lambeg drumming to long sword dancing, and dry-stone walling to wassailing.

Seven categories will be used for the inventories (although a lot of living heritage sits in multiple categories):

  • oral expressions
  • social practices
  • performing arts
  • land, nature and spirituality
  • crafts
  • sports and games
  • culinary practices.

The inventories are being set up by the Governments of the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following the UK joining the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage last year.

The inventories will provide a snapshot of all the different types of living heritage across the UK: from popular to niche and old to new. Their purpose is to both raise awareness and to start a conversation about the value of this heritage, paving the way for future efforts to improve its safeguarding.

Community Support Hub

Folklore Without Borders can provide help and guidance on submitting Living Heritage to the inventories. We have particular expertise on folklore, and equality, diversity and inclusion within UK folklore.

For anything related to museums, contact the Folklore Museums Network.

If you have a question, or would like support in submitting your community practices to the national registers, then register to join one of our workshops in-person or via Microsoft Teams.

  • Friday 5 December 2025, 10–5pm
  • Thursday 11 December 2025 2–5pm
  • Wednesday 17 December 2025, 10–11am
  • Thursday 8 January 2026, 3–5pm
  • Monday 19 January 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 26 January 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 2 February 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 9 February 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 16 February 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 23 February 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 2 March 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 9 March 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 16 March 2026, 10–1pm
  • Monday 23 March 2026, 10–1pm

Contact Matthew Cheeseman to book your place or if you have any questions related to Folklore Without Borders.

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