Dynamic Heritage
Intangible cultural heritage is subject to continuous change. It evolves through dynamic negotiation processes between individuals, interest groups, and social actors. These negotiations take place on various levels—sometimes in the background, sometimes in public debate—and unfold either continuously or in recurring cycles. As living heritage in the sense of UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage is not a static relic of the past. Inclusion in the national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage does not mean the musealization of a practice or tradition, but rather the recognition of a practice that is in constant interaction with its social and cultural environment.
In the course of this development, even long-established traditions are questioned. These negotiation processes repeatedly raise the question of whether certain elements of a practice are still necessary and/or appropriate for the times. In rare cases, practices also raise the question of whether, in their current form, they align with UNESCO’s principles.
Current Dialogue
Bonfire Sunday in Vorarlberg
A current example of these ongoing discussions is the cultural element of Bonfire Sunday. In the communities of Vorarlberg, a traditional bonfire is lit on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday to mark the end of the Old Carnival (Alte Fasnacht). Preparations begin as early as Shrove Tuesday with the felling of the “bonfire fir,” a tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height. On the Saturday before Bonfire Sunday, the bonfire is constructed by stacking collected materials into a tower-like structure. A central part of the custom is the burning of a straw effigy known as the bonfire witch (Funkenhexe), which symbolically represents the end of the carnival season.
The depiction of the bonfire witch, which features stereotypical female characteristics, has repeatedly sparked debates about discrimination. Critics argue that burning this figure perpetuates problematic gender imagery. In response, some bonfire guilds (Funkenzünfte) have started using gender-neutral dolls that do not display explicitly female traits. However, these are isolated cases—most communities involved in Bonfire Sunday continue to use the traditional depiction.
The societal debate around the bonfire witch has been ongoing for some time. In this context, a petition from Vorarlberg was submitted to the Austrian Commission for UNESCO in 2024, calling for a review of Bonfire Sunday’s status as intangible cultural heritage. The so-called “Request for Review of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Status of Bonfire Sunday” (see document in the download section) prompted a deeper examination of this cultural element and initiated an open dialogue about the controversies surrounding it.
Based on input from the Advisory Panel on Intangible Cultural Heritage, the statements of the original applicants, as well as other experts and practitioners, further steps are now being taken. The discussion focuses on how well Bonfire Sunday aligns with current societal developments and UNESCO’s principles. The goal of the process is to enable a well-informed balancing of cultural tradition with contemporary values.
