IN-PERSON: Prague – Section A

Abstract

The intangible cultural heritage of winter is on the barge of extinction due to warmer temperatures. Still, little is known about climate adaptation strategies for transmitting the cultural heritage of ice and snow. This study examined to what extent deliberation contributes to transmitting the intangible cultural heritage of ice in a warmer world. It applies a case of a local ritual for ice ridges on Lake Suwa with a history of over five centuries called the ‘omiwatari’ or holy crossing in Nagano, Japan. The deliberative forum developed based on a focus group discussion invited the local seniors and high schools to evaluate the climate impacts on its transmission. It had two parts. Firstly, the participants had lectures on climate change and its effects in addition to the lake’s ecosystems, followed by the history of the ‘omiwatari’ practice. Then they discussed actions the community can take. The deliberative forum proved its effectiveness as a platform for intangible cultural heritage to consider its transmission. It identified different assumptions of the two generations. The participants recognized the drastic change in local winter scenery through the inter-generational discussion about ‘omiwatari’ and assessed the climate impact as highly significant and urgent. It also evaluated adaptation options. The youth sought technology that artificially froze the lake. A climate scientist warned about CO2 emissions through it. The priest who presides over the ritual stresses that the religion worships nature. Both generations concluded that more discussions with broader generations are required to consider adaptation options for the transmission.