Problems of mapping and geospatial research of the intangible heritage of the peoples of Russia

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-523-538

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Marina V. Gribok

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: gribok.marina@gmail.com

Olga I. Markova

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: solntsevaolga1401@gmail.com

Abstract

The authors of the article analyzed the foreign and Russian experience in creating maps and atlases of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) on different scales—from global to local. We have studied cartographic works presented both in paper and electronic form, in the form of separate maps (including as part of atlas works), atlases, GIS atlases and multimedia atlas information systems. The most mapped class of ICH of the peoples of Russia are traditional technologies and techniques (including folk crafts), while other types of intangible heritage—folk performance, oral art, rituals and holidays—are almost not mapped due to the difficulties in collecting information. The authors investigated the existing registers of ICH of the peoples of Russia at the federal and regional levels and implemented their own experience in creating a web map of ICH objects based on the registry data presented on the culture.ru portal and containing 447 objects. As a result of the research, we have identified the most important actual problems that specialists may face when mapping and conducting geospatial research on this topic. The main problem of ICH mapping in Russia is the lack of a unified register with sufficient completeness. Another problem is related to the variability of the localization of mapped objects. An ICH object may belong to one or more localities, one or more municipal districts, or even regions. To create maps, it is necessary to take this circumstance into account and develop approaches to visualization of ICH objects of different coverage, depending on the territory, scale, thematic features of the map and other factors.

Keywords

intangible cultural heritage, folk art, registers of intangible heritage, web mapping, atlas mapping

References

  1. Atlas of Socio-Cultural Processes in Crimea. Simferopol: V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 2020. Web resource: https://atlas-crimea.ru (accessed 28.02.2025) (in Russian).
  2. Berlyant A.M. Cartography. Moscow: Aspect Press Ltd, 2001. 336 p. (in Russian).
  3. Bortolotto C. From Objects to Processes: UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage”. Journal of Museum Ethnography, 2007. No. 19. P. 21–33.
  4. Broclain E., Haug B., Patrix P. Introduction. Music: Intangible Heritage? Transposition. Musique et Sciences Sociales, 2019. No. 8. DOI: 10.4000/transposition.4201.
  5. Cai P. Spatial Differentiation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South China and its Influencing Factors. Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, 2022. Art. 7714161. 11 p. DOI: 10.1155/2022/7714161.
  6. Dezio C. Narration of Cultural Heritage as Antifragile Tool. Cycling & Walking for Regional Development: How Slowness Regenerates Marginal Areas, 2021. P. 163–173. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-44003-9.
  7. Junyong L., Mu Z., Jing L., Jing Y., Lu L. Design of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Management Information System based on GIS. 2008 International Conference on Information Management, Innovation Management and Industrial Engineering. IEEE, 2008. V. 3. P. 94–99. DOI: 10.1109/ICIII.2008.296.
  8. Khizbullina R.Z., Zaripova L.A., Khalilova A.B., Salemgaraeva L.R., Shamsiakhmetova L.I. Mapping Information on Cultural Creativity of Peoples in the Republic of Bashkortostan and its Value. CITISE, 2020. No. 1 (23). P. 380–392 (in Russian). DOI: 10.5350/2409-761.2020.1.35.
  9. Levkievskaya E.E. Mapping as a Method of Studying Slavic Traditional Culture. Folklore Studies and Cultural Anthropology Today. Proceedings of the All-Russian Scientific Conference of Young Scientists. Moscow: Russian State University for the Humanities, 2018. P. 11–12 (in Russian).
  10. Li X., Yang M., Long L., Liu M., Liu H., Liu J. Geographical Distribution and Influencing Factors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Sustainability, 2023. V. 15. Iss. 4. Art. 3025. DOI: 10.3390/su15043025.
  11. Muradov V. Nakhichevan Carpet Weavers. Moscow: Budget, 2013. 156 p. (in Russian).
  12. National Atlas of Russia: in 4 vols. V. 4: History. Culture. Kaliningrad: Skaz Ltd, 2008. 495 p. (in Russian).
  13. Nie X., Ma M., Ji J., Zheng L. The spatial Distribution of Traditional Intangible Cultural Heritage Medicine of China and its Influencing Factors. Heritage Science, 2023. V. 11. Art. 90. DOI: 10.1186/s40494-023-00929-0.
  14. Zhang Z., Cui Z., Fan T., Ruan S., Wu J. Spatial Distribution of Intangible Cultural Heritage Resources in China and its Influencing Factors. Scientific Reports, 2024. V. 14. Art. 4960. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55454-2.
  15. Zhang Z., Li Q., Hu S. Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Yellow River Basin: Its Spatial-Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Differentiation Causes. Sustainability, 2022. V. 14. Iss. 17. Art. 11073. DOI: 10.3390/su141711073.
  16. Zhitenev S.Yu. The Phenomenon of Russia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage: Issues of Conservation and Development. Encyclopedia of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Russia. Moscow: Heritage Institute, 2022. P. 9–22 (in Russian).

For citation: Gribok M.V., Markova O.I. Problems of mapping and geospatial research of the intangible heritage of the peoples of Russia. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 3. P. 523–538. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-523-538 (in Russian)