When talking about a sustainable future, various possibilities are mentioned related to the field of cultural heritage, from preserving historical buildings to singing traditional songs. However, we rarely talk about emotions that are actually the force behind numerous traditions, because it connects us to our ancestors, grandparents, mothers and fathers, and other members of our family and the wider local community in which we live. Emotions help us understand our own, but also appreciate the values of other people’s traditions. The knowledge and skills that different communities have acquired about the natural environment in which they live for generations can be our guidelines for dealing with climate change, which brings storms, droughts, floods, and more. In addition, practicing various customs, as practice shows, provides individuals with security in their own social environment, which can reduce some of the modern mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and more. Mirela Hrovatin spoke about such an approach to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage as part of the “Sustainwell” project on July 19, 2025 at the panel discussion “Intangible Culture and Identity: Croatian and Macedonian Elements on UNESCO’s Lists” at the Cultural Information Center of the Republic of North Macedonia in Zagreb as part of the 59th International Folklore Festival Zagreb.
