Nyckelharpa is a bowed instrument that has been built and played in northern Uppland since the early 17th century by farmers and craftsmen. The body of the Nyckelharpa is long and slender. The pitches of the strings change when keys are pressed on tangents. Until the end of the 19th century, it was the most common instrument played at dances and rituals. The nyckelharpa lost popularity in the early 20th century in favor of clarinets, violins, and accordions.
Throughout history, various efforts have been made to preserve the nyckelharpa, often thanks to individuals with special knowledge and skills. Many different actors have contributed to the work. By using this innovative methodology, nyckelharpa instruments can be widely used around the world. Today, the nyckelharpa network emphasizes continuous quality improvement of everything it does through seminars and courses where all participants exchange knowledge. The network generally possesses a non-hierarchical culture of sharing characterized by informality and inclusivity.
As a non-hierarchical and informal network, the nyckelharpa is spread worldwide. Today, the Eric Sahlström Institute (ESI) is the network's central node, coordinating regional, subregional, and international efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage. Nyckelharpa activities reflect the convention's principles and objectives. Moreover, they are aligned with the purposes of ensuring respect, raising awareness, and working for global cooperation. It aims to protect, promote, and recreate a living intangible cultural heritage in alignment with the Convention's overall objectives.
Eric Sahlström Institute (ESI) was founded with the goal of "protecting, preserving, and perpetuating" folk music, dance, and song. Everyone is welcome to participate in the courses. Nyckelharpa building and playing meet several criteria that make it an intangible cultural heritage according to UNESCO. In general, it encompasses most domains, especially the performing arts, rituals, festive events, and traditional crafts. In order to construct an instrument, however, it is also necessary to have knowledge of nature and oral tradition. Musicians and instrument builders have disseminated their knowledge of how to make and play the nyckelharpa, as well as organizations that seek to share knowledge.
By nominating the nyckelharpa network to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices, its practitioners support local associations, folk music groups, festivals, etc. As soon as Sweden ratified the Convention, it assigned responsibility for its implementation to the Institute for Language and Folklore. The institute prepared Living Traditions in the first phase of this project. Everyone was invited to submit proposals for the inventory |Subject=Art, Craftsmanship and Practices, Music |Country=Sweden |SDG=(08) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}