The ringing of bells

Bells are undeniably part of Luxembourg's cultural heritage. In France, there is even an initiative to protect the ringing of church bells as intangible cultural heritage. In this context, our deputy André Bauler has submitted some questions to the Minister of Culture. In his parliamentary question, he wants to know, among other details, whether the Minister intends to have church bell ringing protected at national level as intangible cultural heritage.

Déi eelste Klack vu Lëtzebuerg, datéiert aus dem Joer 1440, ass vun Uewerdonwen an 2016 fir d’lescht gelaut ginn. Klacke gehéieren ouni Zweiwel zum kulturelle Patrimoine vu Lëtzebuerg. Queesch duerch Europa an duerch eist Land gëtt et net nëmme Kiercheklacken. A ville Länner laude Klacken haut nach am Fall vu Gefor, vu Stuerm, vun engem Brand, fir national a weltwäit Trauer auszedrécken oder einfach nëmme fir d’Auerzäit unzekënnegen. 

An Däitschland ass d’Gloriosa (1497), déi an engem vun den Tierm vum Doum zu Erfurt hänkt, déi gréisste mëttelalterlech Klack op der Welt, déi fräi schwéngt an déi vun hirem Klang hir zu deene schéinsten an Europa gehéiert.

D’Laude vun de Klacken zu verschiddenen Dageszäiten, awer och am Ufank an eventuell och um Enn vun de reliéisen Déngschter oder einfach als Péis gehéiert zum gewinnte Klangraum vun eisen Uertschaften, besonnesch am ländleche Raum.

A Frankräich gëtt et eng Initiativ, déi ënner anerem drop rausleeft fir d’Laude vun de Kiercheklacken als immaterielle Patrimoine klasséieren ze loossen an en op d’Lëscht vun der Unesco setzen ze loossen. Sou wäit muss ee vläicht net direkt goen, ma et wier awer gutt, wann ee mol fir d’éischt en nationale Klassement kéint virgesinn. 

An deem Kontext wollt ech der Madamm Kulturministesch folgend Froe stellen: 

  1. Gëtt et e geneeë Regëster an deem all historesch relevant Klacke vum Land repertoriéiert a beschriwwe sinn?
  2. Wéi vill Klacken si mëttlerweil als Deel vun eisem kulturelle Patrimoine geschützt? Wéi vill sollen der nach geschützt ginn – zemol wa Kierchen desakraliséiert ginn?  
  3. Gräift de Kulturministere op de Rot vun Experten aus dem Ausland zréck fir historesch Klacken zu Lëtzebuerg schützen ze loossen?
  4. Huet d’Madamm Ministesch wëlles d’Laude vun de Kiercheklacken op nationalem Plang als immaterielle Patrimoine vu Lëtzebuerg schützen ze loossen?

Answer

MP André Bauler was informed by the Minister of Culture that the bells are always and automatically protected with the building. Currently, the bells of 216 churches and chapels are nationally protected. The ringing of the bells corresponds to the UNESCO definition of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). To be listed in the national inventory for ICH, a request must be made by the sponsoring communities. However, this does not mean that the bells need to be rung. The ringing of the bells has a sociocultural value and gives people a sense of identity and respect for cultural diversity, says Sam Tanson.

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