Art in movement, art as movement: Collective action and collective gathering for intangible cultural heritage sustainability

Carnaval de Negros y Blancos is a mixed-race festiveact inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible culturalheritage (ICH). It hosts collective gatherings that provideopportunities for identity emergence and reaffirmation,where heritage owners lead top- down and bottom-upsafeguarding efforts. This study aims to documentthe processes of collective action for sustainability,by analyzing top- down and bottom-up initiatives forsafeguarding. We conducted a mixed-methods study inPasto, Colombia, using data from interviews with ICHstakeholders (n = 59) and from surveys with carnivalplayers (n = 403). Heritage safeguarding, peacebuilding,human expression, transcendent experience, and evolvingidentities are the main themes within safeguardingmovements. Additionally, the quality of participation inthe event, either as performer or not performer at Sendadel Carnaval, relates to sociocognitive and emotionalprocesses of both social movements and collectivegatherings. Findings portray ICH as a context forsustainable cities and communities, as well as increasedpeace, justice, and responsive institutions.