Grasse, the country of perfume, in South-Eastern France. The Patrimoine Vivant du Pays de Grasse (Living Heritage of the Grasse area) association will be registered on 6 July 2013, during its first general assembly. It wants to support the "The Perfume and its relevant know-how in the Grasse area: the knowledge of the natural raw materials, scented-plants growing and the art of composing a fragrance" application dossier to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of France, then, of Humanity.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage is an important factor to maintain the cultural diversity against the growing globalization, the soon-to-come, association says in its press-release. It is traditional, living and contemporary at the same time; its intergenerational transmission is a way to promote a sense of identity, of continuity and of community.
It is representative, as it is developing from its roots in the communities and depending on those who transmit it.
This notion of communities is essential, as they create the heritage, manage it and transmit it: therefore, the association will request their official agreement for the registration of the know-how linked to Perfume in the Grasse area as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of France, then, of Humanity.
Through a working group, this association comprises a scientific group (so-called “Collège”) of curators, historians and researchers, a college of perfumers, a college of farmers who produce scented-plants.
The perfumeries workpeople, who have kept the story alive, are also invited to subscribe, as well as any other person interested, in one way or another, in our heritage.
The constituent General Assembly will be held on 6 July, 5.30 pm, in the Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard, in Grasse.
The first conference on the Intangible …
