Bio / presentation

The International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD) is a global non-governmental organization in formal consultative relations with UNESCO, dedicated to the study, practice, documentation, preservation, and dissemination of traditional music, dance, and related performing arts worldwide. Founded in 1947, its primary mission is to foster scholarly research and cross-cultural understanding of diverse musical traditions, which are vital components of intangible cultural heritage. The ICTMD organizes biennial World Conferences, symposia, and study group meetings, providing platforms for international collaboration and the exchange of knowledge among ethnomusicologists, dancers, and cultural practitioners. Through its publications, including "Traditions of Music and Dance" (formerly "Yearbook for Traditional Music"), the Council plays a crucial role in advancing academic discourse and advocating for the recognition and safeguarding of traditional performing arts globally.