The federal State of Burgenland has adopted for the first time a law on cultural promotion in 1980, still in force as amended in January 2017. The Burgenländisches Kulturförderungsgesetz (Cultural Promotion Act of Burgenland) is therefore the legal basis for all initiatives for cultural heritage protection, promotion and safeguard. It establishes Culture Advisory Councils (Kulturbeiräte) of experts in several cultural-related fields, including cultural heritage. It provides funding and support mechanisms for culture and cultural heritage promotion. For the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, the Cultural Promotion Act of Burgenland focuses on historic sites management as well as on maintenance and promotion of cultural traditions, folk culture and customs. The Act also promotes the principle of independence and diversity of cultural expressions. The strategy for cultural heritage promotion set out in this act focuses particularly on public participation, in order to preserve local traditions and, at the same time, encourage engagement with contemporary art.