Italian cuisine was added to UNESCO’s
‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ lists at a meeting of the UN
agency’s Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi on Wednesday.
It is the first time a national cuisine in its entirety, rather
than a single tradition or recipe, has won world heritage
status.
“Italian cuisine is our most formidable ambassador,” Prmeier
Giorgia Meloni said in a video message to the meeting of
UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee. “It supports tourism,
enriches Italy’s cultural offerings, and throughout the world it
declares our desire to be present in many places and among the
people who make Italy a community.
“And today I want to thank all the Italians around the world,
because this is also an opportunity for them”.
The decision to admit the bid, which was among 60 from 56
countries under evaluation, was met by a long applause at the
hall where the committee was gathered.
“It is a communal activity that emphasizes intimacy with food,
respect for ingredients, and shared moments around the table,”
UNESCO said.
“The practice is rooted in anti-waste recipes and the
transmission of flavours, skills and memories across
generations. It is a means of connecting with family and the
community, whether at home, in schools, or through festivals,
ceremonies and social gatherings.
“People of all ages and genders participate, exchanging recipes,
suggestions and stories, with grandparents often passing down
traditional dishes to their grandchildren.
“The knowledge and skills related to the element are transmitted
both informally within families and formally in schools and
universities.
“Beyond cooking, practitioners view the element as a way of
caring for oneself and others, expressing love and rediscovering
one’s cultural roots. It gives communities an outlet to share
their history and describe the world around them. It also helps
safeguard specific cultural expressions, such as language and
gestures.
“The practice thus fosters social inclusion while promoting
well-being and offering a channel for lifelong,
intergenerational learning. It also strengthens bonds,
encourages sharing, and promotes a sense of belonging”.
The Italian food industry welcomed UNESCO’s decision.
“(It is) a success for the entire Made in Italy supply chain. A
path rooted in the past, but one that has managed to make
ongoing innovation its hallmark,” said Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO
of Filiera Italia, which represents all the food and wine
companies in the production chain.
“Recently at the UN, we highlighted the power of the
Mediterranean diet in promoting healthy longevity,” Scordamaglia
continued, recalling Filiera Italia and farm group Coldiretti’s
commitment to spreading the values ;;of Italian cuisine
worldwide.
“When we talk about the Mediterranean diet, we’re talking about
our wonderful Italian cuisine, which shares its principles,
first and foremost those of balance and variety.”
Farm Minister Francesco Lollobrigida was satisfied too.
“Italian cuisine is on the World Heritage list,” he said.
“Today, Italy has won, and it’s a celebration that belongs to
everyone because it speaks to our roots, our creativity, and our
ability to transform tradition into universal value.
“This recognition celebrates the strength of our culture, which
is national identity, pride, and vision,” Lollobrigida
continued.
“Italian cuisine is the story of all of us, of a people who have
preserved their knowledge and transformed it into excellence,
generation after generation. “It is a celebration of families
who pass down ancient flavors, of farmers who care for the land,
of producers who work with passion, of restaurateurs who bring
the authentic value of Italy to the world.
“My deepest thanks go to them and to those who worked so
tirelessly on this candidacy.
“This recognition is a source of pride but also of awareness of
the further valorization that our products, our territories, our
supply chains will enjoy”.
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