"Međimurska popevka" is an integral part of Međimurje County's popular culture and a favourite and recognisable symbol of Croatian identity.
Obuljen Koržinek said that the intangible heritage was continually being preserved and promoted owing to the work of the Culture and Media Ministry and all local and regional stakeholders who recognise its value.
She recalled that Croatia has 21 elements of cultural heritage included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity while 215 are included in the National Register of Cultural Heritage.
Međimurje County head Matija Posavec said that Međimurje is a small region without big cathedrals or monuments but that it has a monument and institute called "Međimurska popevka", noting that Međimurje would not be a Croatian region today if it had not been for "Međimurska popevka".