National Inventory of Living Heritage
National Inventory of Living Heritage
Elements within the Wiki-inventory can be applied for the National inventory of living heritage. The Ministry of Education and Culture has nominated 86 elements into the National Inventory of Living Heritage. The National inventory is based on the applications of various communities and the proposal by the Finnish Heritage Agency and the Advisory group of intangible cultural heritage. Communities and organizations active in the field of intangible cultural heritage have also been commenting on the submissions. Decision of the elements to be nominated is made by the Ministry of education and culture. Articles in the National Inventory need to be updated every three years.
The National Inventory will be updated regularly. The call for the National Inventory of Living Heritage is open until 16th of March 2026.
The nomination to the National inventory is a recognition to the communities working with these traditions and brings more visibility for them. At the same time it is one step closer towards international recognition.
From the National inventory, it is possible to make nominations to UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. At present, Finland’s inscriptions on the UNESCO lists are Sauna culture in Finland (2020) and Kaustinen fiddle playing (2021). Finland is also part of the multinational inscrptions of the Nordic clinkerboat traditions (2021) and knowledge, craft and skills of handmade glass production(2023). A joint proposal from Sweden and Finland concerning the Torne River dipnet fishing is currently under evaluation, with inscription expected in December 2027.
Elements inscribed in the UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists must be included in the National Inventory. This does not apply to the Register of good safeguarding practices of UNESCO. The next application round in Finland for UNESCO will be held in the fall of 2026, focusing on good safeguarding practices.
The evaluation criteria from the previous rounds (2017, 2020, 2023) can be found on the Finnish Heritage Agency's website. Please review the application guidelines carefully!
More detailed information on the application process and criteria for 2026
Questions related to the National Inventory in 2026
For more information
Leena Marsio, senior adviser, Finnish Heritage Agency
leena.marsio(at)museovirasto.fi, tel. +358 (0)295 33 6017