This recognition of CIOFF® by UNESCO reflects the new level of cooperation with CIOFF® in providing a valuable partnership to UNESCO in recent years, having made regular major substantial contributions to framing UNESCO’s objectives and implementing its programmes in the field of safeguarding and promoting the World intangible cultural heritage. CIOFF® becomes the only organisation working in the field of ICH to receive associate partnership status of UNESCO.

What that means for CIOFF® is:

• Visibility – an immense chance to promote the work and activities of CIOFF® by both CIOFF® International and the National Sections
• Opportunity to develop and implement new exciting programmes and projects with the support of UNESCO 
• Responsibility- to maintain the high level of engagement with UNESCO as an associate partner, constantly strengthening CIOFF® organisation on national and international levels and delivering effective programmes and projects. 

This extremely important announcement comes at a time when CIOFF® is preparing for its flagship event - the 5th CIOFF® World Folkloriada, which will take place in Zacatecas, Mexico in August 2016, with participation of over 2500 dancers and musicians representing more then 70 countries of the World. Founded in 1970, CIOFF® is now represented in 112 different countries in which there are more than thirty thousand folklore dance and music groups and folk arts organizations. Today CIOFF ® globally coordinates over 300 annual international folklore and folk arts festivals, uniting thousands of volunteers around the world with its mission to encourage cultural exchange in order to promote a growing spirit of friendship and peace.


For more information about CIOFF ® please visit www.cioff.org or email: info@cioff.org