Italian cuisine could become UNESCO heritage site; decision to be made in December

UNESCO will discuss the candidacy of Italian culinary the intangible heritage of humanity. The decision will be taken during a meeting in India.

Before that, on November 10, the entity’s technical opinion will be released. The document may recommend approval, rejection or postponement of the debate.

“In India, not only the candidacy of Italian cuisine will be evaluated, but also the idea that food can represent the cultural identity of a people,” said Pier Luigi Petrillo, professor at Luiss University, in Roma, and author of the dossier presented by Italy, according to the Handle.

If approved, it will be the first time that a cuisine as a whole has received this title, and not just individual traditional practices. “The dossier illustrates well the cultural significance of Italian cuisine, seen as an everyday gesture and a mosaic of diversity,” explained Petrillo, who said he was optimistic about the candidacy formalized in June 2023.

Italy has already sponsored the candidacy of the Mediterranean diet, recognized as intangible heritage by UNESCO in 2010. Since then, almost 10% of the entity’s listings are linked to food.