UNESCO World Heritage sites usually include unique monuments, cities or natural features. However, the Italian government is trying to get UNESCO recognition for its cuisine.
Pizza, pasta, mozzarella, bruschetta… what could be more delicious? Italian cuisine is the most famous in the world and is enjoyed by almost everyone. From north to south, the country offers unique and distinctive flavors rooted in the land and its traditions.
The Intangible Heritage of Humanity
For this reason, the government of Rome is supporting the candidacy of Italian cuisine to be designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO for the year 2023. The list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity proposed by UNESCO, as reported by the Italian media.
The Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano said in the presentation of the initiative: “I will give my full support, because Italian cuisine means promoting the idea of quality of life and Italian life, which is made up of art, culture, landscapes, monuments. , but also experiences like Food Excellence”.
The dossier is now being sent to UNESCO by the Rome Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The evaluation process must be completed by December 2025 at the latest. Italian cuisine is defined in the official application file as a set of social practices, rituals and gestures based on a wealth of local knowledge. According to Dosier, this mosaic of traditions reflects the country’s biocultural diversity.