The FISM UNESCO Project is a long term international initiative led by FISM International to support the recognition of Magic as an art form and as a living cultural practice within the frameworks of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Magic is more than entertainment. It is a shared cultural language, transmitted across generations, rooted in craftsmanship, performance, pedagogy and community identity. Across continents and civilisations, magic has developed structured knowledge, ethical codes, rituals and methods of transmission that fully correspond to UNESCO’s definition of living heritage.

FISM International has launched a coordinated global project to bring together national and regional initiatives within a coherent cultural strategy. The objective is not to replace local actions, but to strengthen them through shared methodology, common criteria and a unified narrative that clearly demonstrates the cultural, historical and artistic value of magic.

The project is built around an international consultancy structure that provides guidance to national associations, supports the preparation of documentation and ensures alignment with UNESCO operational guidelines. This includes methodological support, comparative review of projects and the development of a global reference framework for magic as intangible cultural heritage. 

The expected outcomes are robust national nomination dossiers, increased institutional credibility, greater academic and cultural visibility for magic and the positioning of FISM as a responsible international steward of magical heritage in dialogue with UNESCO frameworks.

To learn more about the vision, structure and methodology of the FISM UNESCO Project, you can download the official presentation slides below.