Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to identify the opinions of 7th grade students at middle schools on the elements of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and to reveal their levels of awareness on such elements. The study based on qualitative research method was carried out through qualitative research design. The study group consists of 13 students studying at a school at the city center of Bartın. Data of the study were obtained from focus group interviews held with students. The data obtained were analyzed through content analysis method by using MAXQDA 2018 qualitative data analysis software. Results of the analyzed data were interpreted with their frequencies and percentages shown by figures and tables. From the findings obtained under the study, it has been concluded that the students are able to correctly interpret the notion of intangible cultural heritage and distinguish it from the notion of tangible cultural heritage, that students’ awareness on local cultural values is higher than national cultural values, that students have a high interest in traditional children’s games, which is a significant part of the intangible cultural heritage, however those games are not adequately experienced, that the survival of national values is dependent upon their discovery by the young generation, that settlement area, sex and age are major variables on the interest in cultural values, that society in general and family and educational institutions in particular have a quite significant function in development of young individuals’ awareness on the conservation of national cultural values such as cultural and religious rituals, folk songs and tales etc., that technological developments cause young individuals to be alienated from national cultural values, that the conservation of such values is highly important for the existence of nations.

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