UNESCO-accredited advisory NGO since 2010

Living heritage is carried by people.

IOV connects cultural practitioners, communities, researchers and organisations so knowledge can be practised, documented and passed forward.

Founded
1979
Regions
7
Countries
161
A large folk-dance ensemble gathered outside in traditional dress
IOV photographic archiveTraditions shared through ensemble practiceSupplied archive image · location not recorded
Adults and children in traditional dress at an indoor cultural gathering
Intergenerational cultural exchange · IOV archive

President’s welcome

An invitation to work across generations and borders

Professor Chen Ping invites National Sections, cultural practitioners, researchers, educators and young people to use IOV as a shared international space for knowledge, exchange and cooperation.

Her mandate continues to the World General Assembly in 2027 and focuses on institutional renewal, international cooperation, youth participation and greater visibility for living heritage.

IOV newsroom

Current work and institutional updates

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Governance

Executive Committee sets priorities for IOV’s next chapter

Professor Chen Ping chaired discussions on institutional development, membership, new media, youth leadership and preparations for the 2027 General Assembly.

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Traditional Mongolian yatga displayed at the National Museum of Mongolia
Mongolian yatga · National Museum of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar · Gary Todd · CC0

Cultural focus

An instrument held in cultural memory

The Mongolian yatga is a plucked zither whose form and sound belong to a long history of music-making. The object is shown here with its source and location kept visible.

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Our global network

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Explore a region or search for a country to discover the people coordinating IOV's international network.

7

Regions

161

Countries

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Choose a route based on what you want to do. Each destination explains the next step before asking for information.

Adult folk dancers turning in pairs on a theatre stage while an accordion player performs.
An adult folk-dance ensemble performs on a theatre stage; the supplied archive does not identify the event or location.IOV photographic archive · supplied file Folkart31.jpg

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