The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines intangible cultural heritage elements as non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts. The term intangible cultural heritage is formally established by the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. The inscription of new heritage elements on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists for protection and safeguarding is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organization established by the Convention. Ukraine ratified the Convention on 27 May 2008.

Since 2012, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has also maintained the National Register of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine to safeguard the country's cultural elements, which is required by the Convention for the further nomination of elements to the UNESCO lists. In turn, to enter the National Register, elements must play a significant role in the social life of a community and have concrete measures of protection for a period of one to five years. Submissions of elements are reviewed by the Expert Council on Intangible Cultural Heritage, an advisory body that controls the inscription of elements on the Register.

As of September 2026, seven items from Ukraine are inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Lists. The first Ukrainian element listed – Petrykivka decorative painting – was inscribed in 2013. The egg painting tradition of pysanka is a transnational element shared with Estonia. Six items were nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO lists in the future. In addition, 129 items are inscribed on Ukraine's National Register. Although all regions of Ukraine are represented in the National Register through elements such as borscht and holubtsi, it does not yet include entries specific to Kherson Oblast and the city of Sevastopol.

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity consists of three lists.

Representative List

This list aims to represent the intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine worldwide and bring awareness to its significance. + Name Media Year Description Petrykivka decorative painting as a phenomenon of the Ukrainian ornamental folk art 2013 00893 It is a traditional Ukrainian decorative painting style, originating from the rural settlement of Petrykivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where it was traditionally used to decorate house walls and everyday household items. Common ornaments include branches and wildflowers, including those of nonexistent plants. The style is achieved, in part, through the use of vivid paints applied with special paintbrushes made with cat hair or plants. Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics 2019 01456 The distinctive painted ceramics from Kosiv and nearby villages originated in the 1700s and were popularized in the 1840s–1870s. The ceramic products are made with white clay and then painted in green, yellow, and brown. They reflect the history and culture of the Hutsul people, depicting scenes from life, animals, and ornaments. Örnek, a Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it 2021 01601 This Crimean Tatar design of ornamentation originates from the Crimean Khanate that existed in 15th–18th centuries and was traditionally passed down in craft workshops. is used in embroidery, weaving, pottery, engraving, jewellery, and wood carving, as well as glass and wall painting. It features floral and geometric motifs. The listing also includes knowledge and understanding of the practice. Pysanka, Ukrainian tradition and art of decorating eggs + 2024 02134 To create , eggs are partially covered in wax using a (stylus) and dipped in dye to produce colorful patterns and ornaments that may carry symbolic meaning. Even though it was almost completely erased in the Soviet Union, the tradition of making has become popular again throughout Ukraine following independence. Nowadays, the tradition is associated with Easter and can also be found in the Ukrainian diaspora, especially in Estonia, resulting in the shared nomination of the item from both Ukraine and Estonia.

Need of Urgent Safeguarding This list covers elements that are endangered and thus require appropriate safeguarding. + Name Media Year Description Cossack's songs of Dnipropetrovsk Region 2016 01194 These works, originating from Zaporozhian Cossack communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, talk about the tragedy of war and the personal experiences of soldiers. The lyrics maintain spiritual ties with the past and are also entertaining. The songs are slow, long, repetitive, and typically do not involve any musical instruments. Although they were traditionally performed by men, nowadays Cossack songs are mostly preserved by women's and mixed groups. This element is in need of safeguarding as the continuity of the element is in danger of being disrupted due to the aging of the singers and a lack of interest among the youth. Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking 2022 01852 This beetroot soup has its place as a distinct culinary practice in Ukraine, despite its variance throughout different regions. The recipe of borscht is passed down within families and the dish is associated with numerous regional ritual practices. Borscht has become an intrinsic part of the country's culture, which is reflected in Ukrainian literature, folklore, festivals, and placenames. The element is in need of safeguarding due to the displacement of people and disruption of agriculture caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Register of Good Safeguarding Practices This list accredits programs and projects that safeguard intangible cultural heritage and express the principles of the Convention. + Name Media Year Description Safeguarding programme of kobza and wheel lyre tradition 2024 02136 Players of kobza and wheel lyre, known as and , were visually impaired travelling musicians that formed guilds. Their repertoire included historic and religious songs, as well as (epic poems). Their musical tradition called emerged in the 16th century and continued until the early 19th century. Despite the persecution of the in the early period of the Soviet Union, the tradition has survived with the re-establishment of guilds in the 1980s and the popularization of the tradition in the modern era.

National Register The National Register of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage consists of five inventories.

Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage