The Impact of the Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements (ICH) and the Awareness of the Ministry of Culture Personnel on the Safeguarding and Sustainability of Cultural Heritage

Abstract

With the Republic of Türkiye signing the “Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage” in 2006, awareness and sensitivity towards the safeguarding of cultural heritage has also begun to develop in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has close relations with the Republic of Türkiye. However, the intangible cultural heritage convention could not be signed in the TRNC due to political reasons, and this has led to a lack of sufficient change and awareness about it on the island. Regrettably, the limited number of academic studies carried out in universities in this field has proven to be inadequate in terms of creating general public awareness about the subject. However, the knowledge and experience of both the community and individuals working in this field are crucial for the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage elements. In this context, this study collected the knowledge and opinions of personnel affiliated with the TRNC Ministry of Culture on the subject of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), and it investigated whether the adequacy of the personnel’s knowledge and opinions around cultural heritage had a direct impact on its safeguarding and sustainability. This research used a type of mixed method called “Convergent Mixed-Methods Design”. The sample of this research consisted of 30 personnel working in different units affiliated with the Ministry of Culture in Northern Cyprus. This study included personnel working in different units and positions affiliated with the ministry. An interview form was used to obtain the data that formed the basis of this research. The interview form consisted of 10 structured and 3 semi-structured questions prepared by the researchers. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of the quantitative data, and content analysis was used in the analysis of the qualitative data. This study, which aimed to determine the knowledge and opinions of Ministry of Culture officials working in the TRNC regarding the safeguarding and transfer of intangible cultural heritage elements, revealed that the employees were not fully informed about the scope, objectives, and protection of ICH.

1. Introduction

Cultural heritage elements refer to common points of individuals in society, and they are an important source of wealth for all people globally. The cultural heritage of a society is an indicator of the richness, core values, and cultural diversity of that society. Over time, these heritages are transferred from local to national levels and from national to international levels, contributing to and enriching world heritage. This wealth includes the cultural diversity and common heritage of humanity, which UNESCO has also tried to secure with a convention [1,2]. It is seen that local cultures (traditional clothing, food and beverages, folk narratives, etc.) are disappearing much faster day by day within the globalizing world system. Humanity, whose socio-cultural life has become more standardized over recent years, urgently needs to ensure the protection and diversity of local cultures. Therefore, the safeguarding and sustainability of these cultural heritage elements are extremely important for both the societies the heritage elements are in and for the people of the world. Of course, in addition to all this spiritual wealth, it can be said that cultural elements also have aspects that support material elements. For example, the use of local cultural heritage, such as music, dance, handicrafts, gastronomy, cultural festivals, cultural buildings, and venues, in various ways in cultural tourism contributes greatly to a country’s economy [3,4,5].

Tourists who visit a country buy a handicraft or food/beverage specific to that region as a souvenir or memento on their way back to their own country [6]. With this purchased product, the supported craftsmen continue to produce their art and maintain their respect in society. In this way, they may be able to find new apprentices to train. Young people who see that the handicrafts produced are valued in society and realize that this brings financial gain thus continue to learn about and produce these handicrafts. The Ministry of Culture can also make a great contribution in terms of support and appreciation, because it is one of the duties of the Ministry of Culture to identify the craftsmen who produce handicrafts and to protect them, to provide them with financial support, and to ensure that they are subject to research [7,8]. Gastronomy tourism, which keeps the interest in local cuisines alive, also creates a driving force in terms of preserving and sustaining local food, desserts, and beverages, which are an important part of cultural heritage. Therefore, the personnel of the Ministry of Culture (ministers, undersecretaries, and other employees) play an essential role in projects related to the identification, safeguarding, and sustainability of cultural heritage.

Cultural heritages are born, develop, and continue. Cultural heritages have a dynamic structure that can come to the point of extinction, transform, and move from local to national and international levels. With all these aspects, cultural heritages are non-static systems that are constantly developing and transforming. In other words, cultural heritage is a system with inputs (crafts, music, folk dances, narratives, etc.), processes (master–apprentice relationships, museums, digital archives, cultural tourism, etc.), outputs (economic returns, identity formation, the transfer of cultural heritage to the next generation), and feedback mechanisms (adaptation to environmental and social changes, the impact of technological developments on cultural heritage). Such systems need to be controlled and supported while developing and progressing in their natural environments. Organizations for the safeguarding, development, sustainability, and transfer of cultural heritage to the next generation require state support. One of the most important state institutions that can provide this support is the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry of Culture is also responsible for activating other institutions and organizations. The UNSECO National Commission, civil society organizations, the Ministry of Education, and universities can carry out much more and better activities for the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage with the organization and coordination of the Ministry of Culture.

“Cultural heritage reflects the lifestyle of a country and the creative power of its people. Living cultures give people a chance to strengthen their heritage, to encounter them directly, to experience and to appreciate them. Past civilizations can be reached through historical research and careful physical work. The unique artistic and scientific achievements of past cultures are accepted as part of the common heritage of humanity and contribute to a unified picture of the world’s cultural history”.

[9]

The safeguarding of cultural heritage elements prevents detaching them from people by integrating them into society and helping the social and cultural development of the relevant society. “Cultural heritage should be protected because it is a non-renewable resource and cannot be recreated once it is lost. The first initiative for the safeguarding of cultural heritage is represented by UNESCO, which has imposed an obligation on signatory countries to protect cultural heritage assets through the ‘Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’. It has also classified cultural heritage assets as tangible and intangible cultural heritage” [10].

Especially since 2000, several academic studies have been focused on cultural heritage and its protection. The idea of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, which came to the spotlight with the concept of folklore, became a part of global agenda during the drafting process of the “Convention for the Protection of the Natural and Cultural Heritage” adopted in 1972. The concept of intangible cultural heritage has gained universality since then. In 2003, the “Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage” was adopted by UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), which marked an important global step regarding the safeguarding of cultural heritage [11]. This convention has ensured that a consensus is reached on the fact that all cultural elements in the world have equal value, and it emphasized the idea that cultural values are not only the common product of the society they belong to but of the entirety of humanity.

According to the statement in this convention, “the ‘intangible cultural heritage’ means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills—as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith—that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage” [12]. In this sense, for example, a traditional type of food is a cultural heritage that has a tangible characteristic. However, due to elements such as the cooking habits of the cook, traditions and practices that have developed related to the food, real or legendary narratives related to the food, presentation methods of the food, special tools and equipment used while cooking, the knowledge level of the cook, the characteristics of those who will eat the food, and the qualities of the environment in which the food is cooked and served, some cultural heritages transform into intangible cultural heritage.

The course of cultural management has changed since Türkiye became a party to the intangible cultural heritage convention in 2006 [13]. The number of studies on intangible cultural heritage that has been forgotten and has remained in the background has begun to increase, and a development in social awareness about heritage has been seen [14].

For the success and sustainability of cultural heritage management, it is necessary to educate society on this issue and to create social awareness about cultural heritage elements. “In order to raise awareness for the safeguarding of cultural heritage in the public, planned education should be implemented starting at an early age. With such an education, individuals can gain consciousness when they are still young. Creating awareness of cultural heritage and historical artifacts should be considered as a basic component starting from primary education” [15].

Although it is not legally possible to become a signatory to the ICH convention in the TRNC at present, steps have been taken towards safeguarding intangible cultural heritage on the island due to the activities in the Republic of Türkiye and the influence of academics working in universities in Northern Cyprus [16,17]. As a result, various studies have been conducted, although not at the government level. However, this sensitivity has not fully dissipated throughout the entire society, government employees, and various areas of academia in Northern Cyprus. This study aims to determine the knowledge and opinions of the Ministry of Culture personnel, who have an important place in the safeguarding of ICH in the TRNC. In addition, the findings were interpreted with an aim of contributing to the awareness of cultural heritage in the world and especially in the TRNC.

2. Literature Review

Cultural heritage can be described as a treasure that reminds people of their common past, strengthens unity and solidarity among them, and, thus, elevates a society to the stage of becoming a nation. As is known, different elements and “common values” establish social kinship ties and create social consciousness in the process of nation building. All of these elements are collectively coined ‘cultural heritage’. As such, cultural heritage consists of all tangible and intangible values such as historical artifacts, monumental structures, archaeological sites, language, traditions and customs, foods, dance, and music. Since these values reveal the connection of the relevant society with its past and its future, their protection and transfer to the future are of vital importance. Cultural heritage elements that show the connection between the past and the present constitute a source of richness for each culture while also making a significant contribution to global culture. The cultural heritage of a society is also considered the cultural heritage of the world, and these heritage elements are protected by international conventions beyond national laws. Problems such as smuggling of historical artifacts, looting of archaeological sites, and the destruction of historical structures cause great damage not only to the cultural heritage of the respective country but also to global heritage. It should be remembered that the safeguarding of world heritage will also contribute to reducing poverty and help to develop economic prosperity.

Today, the concept of cultural heritage is developing and being enriched. Rather than a definition and protection approach that focuses merely on historical artifacts, a more comprehensive approach to heritage that includes all cultural values belonging to humanity is under discussion.

Due to reasons such as climate change, environmental problems, wars, and unconsciousness of people, major problems are encountered in the protection and transfer of world cultural heritage to the future. The literature review revealed that several studies have been conducted emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and the need for its protection. In their study on sustainable cultural heritage management, Kuşçuoğlu and Taş addressed universal approaches to the preservation of cultural heritage elements in the context of sustainable management. The authors examined both national and international publications on the safeguarding and preservation of cultural heritage and sustainable conservation management. In their article, the researchers also tried to reveal the applicability of participatory approaches on sustainable cultural heritage management. In thier study, Kuşçuoğlu and Taş emphasized that a given cultural heritage management plan will be successful as long as it is accepted by the people and underlined that such a plan should be a beacon for the society [18].

In order to ensure healthy preservation of cultural heritage and its transfer to the future, it is of great importance for many disciplines such as history, folklore, culture, and geography to work together. In his research, Orhan Gümüşçü emphasized the importance of historical geography in cultural heritage studies and stated that with the training of sufficient researchers in this field, these studies will gain momentum, which will bring positive results, especially for Türkiye [19]. Education given on cultural heritage at an early age will help to develop respect for its elements; therefore, in order for an individual to develop respect not only for the cultural heritage of his/her society but also for the cultural heritage of the world and to gain awareness, children should be given a planned education on this subject at an early age. Bayır and Köse revealed the views of secondary school students on the safeguarding of cultural heritage in their research. At the end of the study, recommendations were made, such as including cultural heritage education in education programs and organizing student-centered activities on cultural heritage types and their protection, which would serve to increase the sensitivity of young students on the subject [20]. With a similar approach, Akpirinç and Mancı stated that cultural heritage elements should be internalized and adopted by society and that education plays a very important role in this regard. According to the authors, courses on the heritage elements of their respective city should be offered to students studying at primary and high school levels [21]. A remarkable result was also revealed in the research conducted by Avcı and Memişoğlu, in which they examined the views of social studies teachers on cultural heritage. The teachers who participated in the study emphasized that cultural heritage topics and education in the social studies program were not at a satisfactory level and advocated that the subject should be conveyed to students more effectively with certain arrangements in the program [22].

Cultural tourism plays a major role in the sustainable development and safeguarding of cultural heritage. Cultural tourism, which has developed parallel to people’s interest in cultural heritage, provides significant economic returns to countries rich in cultural heritage elements. The public’s knowledge and perspective on the subject are of vital importance in the healthy protection of cultural heritage elements and the sustainability of cultural tourism. In their research on the subject, Yeniasır and Gökbulut emphasized that in order to achieve the desired result from cultural tourism, local people should be included in tourism activities, and they emphasized that local people are an important stakeholder in this regard [23]. In another study conducted in 2022, Yeniasır and Gökbulut stated that the lack of knowledge of local people on the subject, along with other reasons, played an important role in the failure of cultural tourism in Cyprus to reach the desired level [24]. Protecting cultural heritage should be considered the primary duty of not only local people but also of all segments of society. If public institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, as well as local people, approach the issue sensitively and cooperate, a very important step will be taken towards the protection of both the cultural heritage of the respective country and the world. Hakan Melih Aygün, in his article, recommended that a permanent and ideal cultural heritage policy should be developed in Türkiye and emphasized the importance of legislation supporting public–local–civil–private cooperation in this context [25].

The review of the contemporary literature indicates that many studies have been conducted to demonstrate the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage elements. Researchers underline that all segments of society have important duties in safeguarding these heritage elements.

3. Methodology of This Research

3.1. Research Model

This study employed a “Convergent Mixed-Methods Design”, which is a type of mixed method. “The purpose of this design is to use qualitative and quantitative methods together, to diversify, compare, and integrate the obtained data, and to attain data that is directly related to the research questions. In this design, it is aimed to complement the weaknesses of the quantitative method with the strengths of the qualitative method or vice versa” [26,27,28,29]. In this study, data were collected through 10 quantitative and 3 qualitative questions.

3.2. Sample

The sample of this study consists of 30 employees working in the Ministry of Culture in Northern Cyprus. Personnel from different units and positions affiliated with the ministry took part in this study.

The stratified sampling method was used to select participants. “In stratified sampling, the population is divided into homogeneous strata and samples are selected from these, which are then combined. Stratified sampling is used in cases where sub-strata or subunit groups exist within a population with defined boundaries” [30,31]. In this study, participants were selected from different positions and units in order to increase diversity and representation and to obtain a more balanced and efficient sample. These units include the “Culture Department Directorate”, “Tourism, Promotion and Marketing Department Directorate”, and “Antiquities and Museums Department Directorate”. The positions included were cultural heritage experts, tourism experts, museum personnel, and restoration specialists.

The Ministry of Culture personnel were chosen as a sample in this research due to their essential role in the safeguarding and sustainability of ICH. The knowledge of the Ministry of Culture personnel regarding the definition, scope, and objectives of ICH and their awareness of the activities carried out in this field will have a direct impact on the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage.

Determining the number of participants as 30 provided a suitable infrastructure to identify the general trends on the one hand and to examine individual opinions in depth on the other. In addition, 30 people can be considered sufficient to reach data satisfaction in a semi-structured interview.

3.3. Data Collection and Analysis

An interview form was used to obtain the data that would form the basis of the research. The interview form consisted of 10 structured and 3 semi-structured questions prepared by the researchers. In the structured questions, 5 options were given, and the participants were asked to mark 1 option. With the semi-structured questions, the opinions of the Ministry of Culture personnel on the safeguarding and sustainability of ICH were collected. After the questions were prepared, the opinions of two folklore experts were obtained, and the questionnaire was restructured in line with their views. Structured questions were used to measure the staff’s knowledge on “ICH”, “Ministry of Culture’s ICH activities and personnel’s responsibilities”, and “ICH museums”, whereas semi-structured questions were used to collect participants’ opinions on measures that could be taken to safeguard and sustain ICH, the impact of personnel on such protection, and whether the Ministry of Culture and its personnel took the necessary responsibility.

Structured questionnaire forms were used to obtain quantitative data, and descriptive statistics were applied to analyze these data. The SPSS 24.0 data analysis package program was used in the statistical analysis of the quantitative data of this study, which was followed by the tabulation and interpretation of the findings.

In the qualitative part of the study, data were collected through in-depth interviews with Ministry of Culture personnel using semi-structured questions. “In-depth interview is a data collection technique based on verbal communication between the researcher and the interviewee on the subject under study” [32]. “In-depth interviewing is a data collection technique that covers all dimensions of the topic under investigation by asking mostly open-ended questions and seeking detailed answers; thus, information can be collected through face-to-face interviews. The feelings, knowledge, experiences and observations of the interviewee are obtained through these interviews” [33].

During the in-depth interviews, a question was added to the two previously prepared questions based on the participant’s answers. This additional question was as follows: “Do you think that the Ministry of Culture and its personnel have taken sufficient responsibility for the safeguarding and sustainability of ICH in the TRNC? Please explain”. After the in-depth interviews, data were obtained through content analysis.

3.4. Research Question

The aim of this research was to determine whether the knowledge of the Ministry of Culture personnel, who have an important role in the safeguarding of ICH in the TRNC, about the definition, scope, and objectives of cultural heritage and their awareness of the activities carried out in this field have a direct impact on the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage.

The research questions were as follows:

RQ1—How knowledgeable are Ministry of Culture personnel about ICH?

RQ2—What are the views of Ministry of Culture personnel about ICH?

RQ3—Does the adequacy of Ministry of Culture personnel’s knowledge about cultural heritage have a direct impact on the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage?

RQ4—What actions can be taken to reinforce the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage based on the views of Ministry of Culture personnel?

3.5. Limitations

This study was limited to a total of 30 participants working at different levels under the TRNC Ministry of Culture.

4. Findings

In order to determine the findings of the study, 10 multiple choice questions were presented to the personnel working in the Ministry of Culture. The table below shows the frequencies and percentages based on the answers given by the 30 participants to the questions.

4.1. In the Findings Section, the Data Obtained Through the Structured Interview Form Were First Tabulated and Interpreted

Participants were asked multiple choice questions about what intangible cultural heritage is. The data in

Table 1. Data about the types of intangible cultural heritage.

	f	%
Verbal traditions and narratives	12	39.99
All	7	23.33
Handcrafts and performing arts	5	16.66
Social practices, rituals, and celebrations	4	13.33
Knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe	2	6.66

show that a high percentage of the participants (% 39.99) thought of ICH as “verbal traditions and narratives”. The fact that “knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe” was chosen at a low rate (% 6.66) indicates that the Ministry of Culture personnel could not reconcile this title with ICH. The correct option “All” was marked by 23.33% of the participants. Accordingly, it can be argued that the Ministry of Culture employees in the TRNC do not have comprehensive knowledge about the concept of ICH. In the face-to-face interviews, most of the Ministry of Culture employees admitted that they did not have extensive knowledge about the concept of ICH.

Table 2. Data on the purposes of the intangible cultural heritage convention.

	f	%
Safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage	14	46.66
Increasing awareness of the importance of ICH at national and international levels	7	23.33
All	6	19.99
Ensuring international cooperation and assistance	2	6.66
Respecting the intangible cultural heritage of communities and individuals	1	3.33

shows the answers given to the question about the purpose of the intangible cultural heritage convention. Accordingly, it was observed that the participants mostly focused on two options. “Protecting the intangible cultural heritage” had the highest frequency with a percentage of 46.66%, and “increasing awareness on the importance of ICH at national and international levels” was the second most popular purpose indicated by 23.33% of the participants. “Respecting the intangible cultural heritage of communities and individuals” was chosen by a negligible portion of the participants (% 3.33). Although the main purpose of the ICH convention is to ensure the preservation of some traditions, customs, and narratives that are almost forgotten due to the technological developments of the age, careful examination of the convention shows that all the given options were within its objectives.

Table 3. Data on how ICH can be safeguarded.

	f	%
By educating future generations and ensuring that they embrace cultural heritage.	16	53.33
By ensuring the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage.	7	23.33
By preventing the destruction of cultural heritage elements.	5	16.66
By preventing the degradation of cultural heritage elements by society.	2	6.66
By restoring the cultural heritage elements.	1	3.33

presents the analysis of the responses given to the question presented to the Ministry of Culture personnel on how intangible cultural heritage can be protected. It can be seen that a high proportion of the employees (% 53.33) agreed that safeguarding can be ensured by educating future generations and ensuring that they take care of cultural heritage. In addition, some participants (% 23.33) stated that cultural heritage elements can be safeguarded by ensuring the viability of intangible cultural heritage. Intangible cultural heritage consists of traditions, customs, holidays, and narratives that are part of the cultures of people. Such heritage elements that are transferred to the future are recreated because of people’s interactions with their environment and nature, which contributes to cultural diversity. A careful examination of the relevant table shows that some participants understoon historical structures by the concept of “intangible cultural heritage”.

Table 4. Data regarding the heritages of Türkiye included in the representative list of ICH.

	f	%
Miniature–Nawruz–Mesir Paste	12	39.99
Ceremonial Keskek (a dish of mutton or chicken and coarsely ground wheat)–Halay (an Anatolian folk dance)–Filigree	7	23.33
Hıdırellez–Coppersmithing–Carpet Weaving	5	16.66
Tarhana (sundried food made of curd, tomato, and flour)–Tile Mastery–Meerschaum Craftsmanship	4	13.33
Mother of Pearl Inlay–Balaban (an instrument belonging to the wind instrument group used in many countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia)–Javelin Game	2	6.66

shows the level of knowledge of the participants regarding the heritages of Türkiye included in the ICH representative list. A relatively high percentage of the participants (% 39.99) marked the correct option “Miniature–Nawruz–Mesir Paste”. Although the participants stated that they did not have much information about ICH, they gave the correct answer to this question at a considerably high rate. We think that this situation is due to learning that takes place through social media and television (press publications, internet environment). In the second preferred group (% 23.33), only “Ceremonial Keşkek” was included in the ICH list. Examining the least popular option (6.66%) shows that both mother-of-pearl inlay and balaban were heritage elements included in the ICH representative list of Türkiye. Although the correct option was preferred at a higher rate, based on the answers given, it cannot be claimed that the participants had clear knowledge of the heritage elements included in the ICH representative list of Türkiye.

In

Table 5. Data on the activities of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye regarding ICH.

	f	%
They are doing important work on the promotion of cultural values, especially in cooperation with UNESCO.	8	26.66
They are doing good work on the protection and promotion of ICH both in Türkiye and abroad.	7	23.33
I do not have any information on this subject.	7	23.33
I do not think that the Ministry of Culture gives the necessary importance to this area.	5	16.66
The Ministry of Culture plays an important role in the preparation of ICH inventories.	3	9.99

, participants were presented with options regarding the activities of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, which has close relations with the TRNC, regarding ICH. According to the data obtained based on the responses, 26.66% of the participants stated that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye “is performing important work, especially in cooperation with UNESCO, in promoting our cultural values”. Some participants stated that “good work is being done to protect and promote ICH both at home and abroad”, while others said that they “did not have any information about this issue”. A considerable number of participants (16.66%) stated that they “did not think that the Ministry of Culture attached the necessary importance to this issue”, which was a sign that the personnel generally did not have sufficient information about the issue. As is known, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, which is an official party to the agreement, attaches great importance to this issue and has been carrying out intensive work on the issue, especially in recent years. The “Intangible Turkish Cultural Heritage Department”, operating under the umbrella of the General Directorate of Research and Education affiliated to the Ministry, is a unit established exclusively for this purpose.

Table 6. Data on information on folklore museums in Northern Cyprus.

	f	%
I think more progress needs to be made in this regard.	13	43.33
I think it is very important in the development of touristic activities in Northern Cyprus.	8	26.66
I think it is still in the development stage.	5	16.66
This is the first time I have heard of the concept “folklore museums”.	2	6.66
I think significant progress has been made in this regard in recent years.	2	6.66

shows the level of knowledge of the Ministry of Culture employees regarding folklore museums in Northern Cyprus. The table shows that a significant majority of the participants (43.33%) thought that “more progress needs to be made in this regard”. The second highest frequency response (26.66%) was “I think that folklore museums are very important in the development of touristic activities in Northern Cyprus”. Some participants (16.66%) stated that folklore museums are “still in the development phase”. Museums and especially folklore museums play an essential role in preserving and transferring cultural heritage elements. Especially with the applications such as animation and experimentation carried out in applied folklore museums, intangible cultural heritage elements can be presented to visitors in an entertaining manner. As generally stated by the participants, there is a huge gap in this regard in Northern Cyprus. Some participants heard about the concept of folklore museums for the first time during the interview, while others stated that much progress has been made in this regard in Northern Cyprus. These results show that the participants were not knowledgeable about the subject.

Table 7. Data on awareness of ICH museums in Türkiye.

	f	%
İstanbul ICH museum	13	43.33
Ankara ICH museum	8	26.66
Eskişehir ICH museum	5	16.66
Bursa ICH museum	3	9.99
Antalya ICH museum	1	3.33

shows the knowledge level of the participants about ICH museums in Türkiye. A significant portion of the participants answered this question with Istanbul ICH Museum (% 43.33), while 26.66% of the participants mentioned Ankara ICH Museum (% 26.66). However, there is no ICH museum in Istanbul, whereas Ankara and Bursa host ICH museums. Based on these data, it can be claimed that the majority of the participants were not knowledgeable about ICH museums. When the table is examined in general, it can be thought that the participants marked Ankara because of its status as the national capital of Türkiye.

According to

Table 8. Data regarding the responsibilities of Ministry of Culture employees in the context of ICH.

	f	%
I think that both schools and the Ministry of Culture should take an active role in explaining the importance of the concept of cultural heritage to children.	13	43.33
I do not think that the Ministry of Culture employees in the TRNC have sufficient information about ICH.	8	26.66
I think that the Ministry of Culture employees have an important role to play in transferring the cultural heritage of the TRNC to the future.	4	13.33
Although our country is not yet officially recognized in the world, the Ministry of Culture employees have important duties in determining and protecting our values.	3	9.99
I do not think that this is a matter directly related to the Ministry of Culture employees.	2	6.66

, which reveals the responsibilities of museum employees regarding ICH, a significant portion of the participants (43.33%) required “Ministry of Culture employees to take an active role in explaining the importance of the concept of cultural heritage to children, along with schools”. In addition, 26.66% of the employees who participated in the questionnaire chose the option “I do not think that Ministry of Culture employees in the TRNC have adequate knowledge in the context of ICH”. In addition, an examination of the answers provided reveals that although the participants were not sufficiently knowledgeable about ICH, they were aware of the role of Ministry of Culture employees in explaining the concept of cultural heritage to children. It is known that education offered at an early age will have an important role in spreading awareness of the safeguarding of cultural heritage to the grassroots and in creating healthy protection culture. Therefore, enriching the curriculum in terms of cultural heritage with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture is of utmost importance in terms of raising individuals who are sensitive and conscious about the subject.

Table 9. Data on what could be given priority in an ICH museum that could become operational in the TRNC in the future.

	f	%
Lefkara work–Cobb basket work	13	43.33
Food and beverage culture–Lapta/cocoon work	8	26.66
Clothing–Karagöz shadow play	4	13.33
Traditional toys–Traditional arts	3	9.99
Old books–Statues	2	6.66

shows that 43.33% of the participants in the questionnaire stated that “Lefkara work–Cobb basket work” samples should be given priority in an ICH museum that may become operational in the TRNC in the future, whereas 26.66% of the Ministry of Culture employees indicated that “Food and beverage culture–Lapta/cocoon work”, which has an important place in Turkish Cypriot culture, should be included in the museum. In particular, Lefkara work, cobb basket work, food and beverage culture, and Lapta/cocoon work are cultural elements that are generally adopted by Turkish Cypriot people. It is believed that the participants who marked these options marked them due to this background.

Based on the possibility that the TRNC will be recognized by UNESCO in the future, an attempt was made to determine the participants’ opinions on what can be achieved to protect and sustain our ICH values. According to

Table 10. Data on what can be achieved to be prepared for UNESCO membership based on the idea that Northern Cyprus will be recognized in the future.

	f	%
A document comparable to the ICH convention on a national scale can be prepared and enacted.	10	33.33
Support can be sought from the administrators of the UNESCO National Commission of the Republic of Türkiye.	8	26.66
The impact of ICH elements in cultural tourism can be increased and the sustainability of these values can be ensured.	8	26.66
ICH inventories can be prepared, and the opening and expansion of museums can be promoted.	3	9.99
ICH activities can be launched and sustained in coordination with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Türkiye.	1	3.33

, a significant portion of participants (33.33%) argued that “preparing a document similar to the ICH convention on a national scale and enacting it into law” would be the most effective way to protect and sustain ICH. On the other hand, 26.66% of the participants stated that receiving support from the administrators of the UNESCO National Commission of the Republic of Türkiye would make a difference and that the viability of these values could be ensured by increasing the impact of ICH elements in cultural tourism. Although other options given are also effective in safeguarding and sustainability, they were preferred at a low rate by the participants. As stated by the participants, the enactment of a national-scale convention similar to the ICH convention, which is thought to make a significant contribution to the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture in Northern Cyprus, will serve as a significant step towards the safeguarding of the rich cultural heritage of the island, which has become the home of various cultures, as well as global cultural heritage.

4.2. In the Second Part of the Findings Section, the Qualitative Data Obtained Through Semi-Structured Questions Were Interpreted

According to the answers given to the question about the measures that can be taken and what can be carried out by the Ministry of Culture to safeguard and sustain ICH in the TRNC, the participants pointed out the following: digitalization of cultural heritage, identification and support of handicraft masters, cooperation between the ministry, universities, and NGOs, establishment of compilation committees, imposing legal regulations regarding ICH, restoration of traditional architecture, proper integration of ICH elements into tourism, and correct and continuous organization of local festivals. Although some survey participants did not have full knowledge about the preservation and sustainability of intangible cultural heritage elements, the responses given by certain participants to the semi-structured interview questions were particularly noteworthy:

P2: “The Ministry of Culture should archive ICH elements by converting them to digital format, so that visual, audio and written materials related to heritage that may be lost for various reasons can be recorded”. P4: “Masters who deal with traditional handicrafts and crafts should be identified by the ministry and protected with incentive and support programs”. P8: “Our Ministry should encourage scientific research on heritage in cooperation with universities”. P11: “Folk dances and music should be compiled and archived, and relevant festivals should be organized”. P14: “The Ministry should establish compilation committees and collect forgotten traditions and heritage by consulting elderly people”. P19: “The Ministry of Culture should request the Ministry of Education to make it mandatory to give courses on cultural heritage in schools”. P20: “The Ministry should make legal arrangements regarding ICH”. P23: “The Ministry should ensure that correct restoration works are carried out to protect traditional architecture and cultural venues and take measures for preservation”. P27: “Appropriate ICH elements should be integrated by using them properly in tourism. For example, economic income can be obtained through the marketing of these handicrafts”.

The answers given to the question about the role and impact of the Ministry of Culture and its personnel in safeguarding and sustaining ICH in the TRNC indicate that the participants emphasized the roles of the ministry and stated that it should increase its impact on some issues. The participants pointed out the following: the ministry should cooperate sufficiently with academics, take measures to protect handicraft masters, implement the projects produced, establish an ICH unit, take an active role by cooperating with local governments and stakeholders in tourism, conduct extensive and programmed compilation studies, and the personnel should learn how to protect cultural heritage and disseminate this knowledge to the public. The opinions of some participants on the topic were as follows:

P1: “The Ministry should benefit from the knowledge and experience of academics by cooperating more with them”. P3: “The staff should be educated and informed about how to protect cultural heritage and should be able to disseminate this to the local people”. P4: “The Ministry should not neglect to take measures to protect the art of craftsmen by cooperating with them”. P6: “Although the Ministry develops some projects, it often falls short in implementing them”. P13: “An ICH unit should be established within the Ministry and the duties and authorities regarding the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage should be transferred to this unit, because although the Ministry takes some measures regarding safeguarding, these are either progressing very slowly or are wasted in the hands of incompetent personnel”. P18: “The Ministry should play a more conscious and proactive role in ensuring the integration of cultural heritage elements with the tourism sector. It should also ensure cooperation with its stakeholders in tourism”. P22: “The Ministry should ensure cooperation with local governments in safeguarding and sustaining cultural heritage”. P29: “The Ministry should also play a role in organizing large-scale and programmed compilation efforts”.

In the final question, participants were asked whether they believed that the Ministry of Culture and its personnel had taken sufficient responsibility for the safeguarding and sustainability of ICH in the TRNC and were required to identify the deficiencies and provide solutions to them. The deficiencies generally indicated were as follows: failure to allocate sufficient budget, failure to provide adequate support to those involved in traditional arts, lack of policies regarding the safeguarding of heritage, lack of strategic plans regarding the safeguarding of heritage, incorrect and incomplete use of cultural heritage in tourism, inadequate cultural heritage education, and lack of sufficient support from universities and academics. The views of some participants on the subject were as follows:

P3: “I don’t think the ministry has been allocated enough budget for this issue for the last 25 years. Therefore, there are many deficiencies”. P7: “I don’t think people involved in traditional arts are supported properly. More funds should be allocated to these people”. P10: “Most of the staff are keen on protecting cultural heritage, but there is a lack of systematic policy”. P14: “The ministry and some of the staff intent on doing good things, but due to lack of planning, progress cannot be made. Therefore, the ministry should prepare 5, 10 and 30-year strategic plans”. P18: “Cultural heritage is used incorrectly or insufficiently in tourism. Therefore, the ministry needs to come up with ideas on how and which cultural heritage will be used in tourism and put them into practice”. P21: “The ministry is not making enough effort to provide cultural heritage education to the new generation. Maybe they are not even aware of this necessity. They can consult with the ministry of education on this issue and prepare an action plan”. P30: “I do not think the ministry receives sufficient support from universities and academics. The ministry can sign protocols with universities and obtain ideas from academics in different fields”.

5. Conclusions, Discussion, and Recommendations

In this study, we aimed to determine the knowledge and opinions of the Ministry of Culture officials working in the TRNC regarding the safeguarding and transfer of intangible cultural heritage elements, and we found that the employees did not have sufficient and clear information about ICH. It was observed that the participants were not completely knowledgeable, especially about the scope, objectives, and safeguarding of ICH. On the other hand, it can be claimed that some participants correctly identified the heritages included in the ICH representative list and had a general idea about the activities of the Ministries of Culture of the TRNC and Türkiye regarding ICH. It was also observed that the participants were aware of the role of museums in clarifying the concept of cultural heritage to the new generation. “Founded in Paris in 1946 with the initiative of UNESCO, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is an international non-governmental organization of museums and museum professionals, dedicated to the research, protection, continuity and communication of the world’s natural, tangible and intangible cultural heritage today and in the future. ICOM, which sets professional and ethical standards for museum activities with 118 national committees and 32 international committees in more than 138 countries, offers recommendations on cultural heritage-related issues as a forum of experts, and promotes the development of knowledge and capacity, and it is the only global organization in the field of museums” [34]. In his study on the Ankara ICH Museum, Tekin [35] concluded that the museum was highly effective in the transfer and education of intangible cultural heritage to children. Yegane Eyvazova also argued in her study [36] that museums should be used effectively in the safeguarding of cultural heritage and folklore.

The awareness that is developed at a young age plays a very important role in increasing the sensitivity to cultural heritage. As is known, unfortunately, apart from natural factors, cultural heritage is mostly destroyed by humans. Therefore, countries should include the sustainability of cultural heritage in their education curricula and teach it to individuals systematically, which can serve to minimize such destruction. It is noteworthy that more than half of the participants in the questionnaire stated that future generations will be able to protect cultural heritage through education. UNESCO has also constantly underlined the essence of education in its convention texts. Similarly, Pınar Kasapoğlu Akyol stated in her study that problems such as the decrease in cultural diversity and the protection of cultural heritage due to the detrimental effects of globalization can be solved through education [37]. Pelit, Demir, and Türkoğlu stated in their article that education plays a very important role in the sustainability of cultural heritage and its reflection in tourism [38]. It is extremely important for all segments of society to act together in the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage. In this context, it is of great importance to carry out coordinated work between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education in order to create a systematic and successful education program. Ahmet Erman Aral stated in his 2018 article that education activities on intangible cultural heritage have gained momentum since 2015. The author also emphasized that in different countries, the Ministry of Culture, civil society organizations, and communities act together to inform and raise awareness on this issue [39].

It is extremely important for all segments of the country and international actors to cooperate in protecting cultural heritage. Hakan Alptürker emphasized in his article that cultural heritage in the world is facing a crisis and recommended that representatives of central government institutions in provinces and districts, local government institutions, and local people should work together to overcome this crisis [40]. Burak Belge similarly emphasized that local governments and local people are important actors in protecting historical city centers [41].

In the face of the possibility that Northern Cyprus may become a member of UNESCO in the future, it is important that a considerable number of participants agree on the idea that a national document comparable to the ICH convention can be enacted. Legalizing a similar national document in Northern Cyprus will be an important step towards the sustainability of cultural heritage on the island. In addition, such a step can serve to prepare Northern Cyprus for possible UNESCO membership. As is known, the fact that the country is not recognized legally poses a significant obstacle to the signing of the convention on an international scale, therefore, conducting ICH activities based on national law can be the right step to take.

On the other hand, it is quite remarkable that the participants agreed that “support should be provided by the administrators of the UNESCO National Commission of the Republic of Türkiye” and “the ICH elements should increase their impact on cultural tourism and ensure the viability of these values”. The active use of intangible cultural heritage in cultural and creative tourism will contribute to both the viability of the heritage and the international recognition of the country. As Öztürk and Yazıcıoğlu also stated in their study, cultural tourism is effective in protecting cultural values as well as creating economic revenues for the country [42]. Türker and Çelik stated in their study that “thanks to cultural tourism, tangible and intangible cultural values can be protected by turning them into touristic products” [43]. Hilmi Ar found that tourism has become an instrument in safeguarding cultural heritage and that tourist guides are also effective in this regard [44].

Although various initiatives have been taken to safeguard and sustain intangible cultural heritage in Northern Cyprus, the sustainability of these activities could not be ensured. For example, a workshop was organized by the Northern Cypriot Presidency in 2010 to prepare the ICH inventory, but these efforts could not be furthered. On the other hand, although Northern Cyprus participated in the “TURKSOY Member Countries 1st Regional Seminar on Intangible Cultural Heritage” held on 16–17 October 2008 [45], the advisory decisions taken there have still not been implemented.

In order to spread the concept of intangible cultural heritage and its protection in Northern Cyprus, first of all, a document similar to the ICH convention should come into force, and intangible cultural heritage should be promoted and marketed in cultural and creative tourism in a planned and accurate manner. In addition, raising the awareness of the TRNC Ministry of Culture personnel through in-service training and conferences is another important step to take.

Recommendations

In line with the results obtained from this study, the following recommendations can be made to protect the rich cultural heritage in Northern Cyprus and secure sustainability.

Educational programs that include cultural heritage elements extensively should be prepared under the leadership of the Ministry of National Education and with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture to develop the awareness of cultural heritage in Northern Cyprus. In this context, it is believed that it would be useful to include comprehensive courses on the protection, maintenance, and transfer of cultural heritage to future generations, especially in primary and secondary school curricula.

Raising awareness among employees of the Ministry of Culture in Northern Cyprus regarding ICH elements through in-service training and conferences can increase their sensitivity to cultural heritage.

The fact that Northern Cyprus is not legally recognized in the world is a major obstacle to the protection and sustainability of cultural heritage. On the other hand, the legalization of a national document similar to UNESCO’s ICH convention would be an important step for the viability of cultural heritage elements on the island.

In Northern Cyprus, the central government and local governments need to start working as soon as possible to establish and popularize applied folklore museums. In this way, it may be possible for more tourists to visit the island and for the local culture to be opened up to the world. All museums in Northern Cyprus are places where archaeological and ethnographic artifacts are preserved for display in material and visual form. However, in European countries, museums attract attention as places where culture is kept alive and taught, and they thus play an important role in drawing significant number of tourists to the country every year.

The participation of the islanders in cultural heritage protection and cultural tourism activities is of great importance for the sustainability of heritage values. Therefore, the central government and especially local governments can develop plans that will ensure the participation of the public in cultural tourism, which can contribute to the safeguarding of cultural heritage in Northern Cyprus.

The protection of cultural heritage will also contribute to the development and sustainability of cultural tourism, which is an essential source of income for the island. Therefore, it is of vital importance for the stakeholders of these two areas to cooperate effectively under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture to produce plans on the subject and to meet on common ground. The planned and accurate promotion and marketing of intangible cultural heritage elements in cultural and creative tourism bears great importance for the future of Northern Cyprus.