The inclusion of the Tinian marble craftsmanship in the catalogue of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was decided by the Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, at its 10th Annual Convention held in Namibia from 30 November until 4 December.
According to UNESCO, the art of marble carving is the artistic tradition of Tinos and is defined as the construction of an object, independent or composite, in marble (extraction of raw materials, primary processing, design, molding, decoration, installation) and the related social and economic parameters (workshops and instrumental equipment, apprenticeship, customers, products, attitudes).
Marble Fountains in the square of Pirgos, Tinos.
The Item Bulletin of Intangible Cultural Heritage associates the art of marble carving with oral traditions and expressions, social practices, customary rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerned with nature and technical expertise linked with traditional crafts. Below are the institutions that highlight the art of marble carving as a cultural good. These institutions are:
- Panhellenic Holy Foundation of Evangelistria of Tinos (“Museum of Tinian Artists”)
- Cultural Foundation of Tinos (permanent exhibition of artworks of Giannoulis Chalepas)
- Museum of Marble Crafts- Pireus Bank Group Cultural Foundation
- Preparatory and Professional School of Fine Arts in Panormos, Tinos
- Cultural Center of Panormos “Giannoulis Chalepas”
- Sodality Club of Tinian People in Athens
In addition, Tinian quarrymen, marble-workers and artistic sculptors, active and veteran alike, who live in Tinos or elswhere, are referred to as conduits of the artform. Finally it is denoted that the workshops that continue to create marble artworks (in Tinos, Athens etc.) are the major sources not only of training in the art but also of the conveyance of its cultural value.
The Tinian marble-crafting is the third element that included our country in the Intangible Cultural Heritage list of UNESCO, after the Mediterranean Diet and the Traditional Mastic Cultivation in Chios.
Marble handmade Bus station in Pirgos, Tinos