CIOFF’s Role in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Philosophical Problems and Development Prospects (Using the Example of the World Folklore Contest)

The article is devoted to a philosophical analysis of the activities of the International Council for the Organiza-tion of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF) as a key institution for the preservation of intangible cultural her-itage in the era of globalization. The historical, social and cultural prerequisites for the emergence of CIOFF are being investigated. Based on the analysis of the organization and holding of international folklore festivals, including the World Folklore Olympiad, CIOFF’s role in maintaining cultural diversity and shaping cultural identi-ty is considered. Special attention is paid to the philosophical problem of the relationship between authenticity and adaptation of folklore in the modern cultural space, as well as the potential social and cultural risks of the organization’s activities. The article substantiates that CIOFF’s activities go beyond the narrow organizational function and acquire the importance of an important factor of cultural security and inter-civilizational dialogue. It is concluded that the organization is facing new challenges today related to the integration of folklore tradition into current cultural processes and countering unification.