Immaterial Cultural Heritage and Traditional Handicraft – New Methods and Strategies for the Transference of Procedural Knowledge, 2017

This project is about the transference of procedural knowledge, and the research case is the manufacturing of the Bunad (traditional costume) in the county of Telemark. Telemark is known for its diverse traditions of national costumes and bunads, and is therefore in a Norwegian context a county rich on cultural heritage and vivid traditional knowledge, which makes Telemark a particular relevant research case. Previous research on traditional handicraft has not attached importance to issues where the aim is to strengthen and continue silent knowledge and competence to new generations in an important industry in the districts. The aim of this project is to document and research knowledge about the transference of traditional handicraft knowledge, from a mentor to a younger practitioner and put the knowledge in context. In addition to becoming an important tool for passing on traditional knowledge to new generations, the results of the research will benefit the national costume producers and the industry. The potential value added will be in: taking care of the immaterial cultural heritage, transferring knowledge, documenting handicraft, create interest, supply the industry with more competence and increase the awareness concerning immaterial cultural heritage within the field. An important effect of this project would be to secure the knowledge related to the local traditions, so that the demands can be met in the future.