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Intangible Cultural Heritage

Culinary Traditions

Belgian Beer Culture Celebrated by Unesco as Intangible Heritage

by Kim
written by Kim

Unesco Recognizes Belgian Beer Culture as Intangible Heritage

Belgian Beer: A Cultural Legacy

Belgium’s rich beer culture has been celebrated by Unesco, which has added it to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This prestigious designation recognizes the unique traditions and practices surrounding beer-making and consumption in Belgium.

Trappist Monks and Beer-Making

Trappist monks have played a significant role in shaping Belgian beer culture. For centuries, they have brewed exceptional beers in their monasteries, passing down their craft from generation to generation. The Trappist Ale label guarantees that a beer meets certain quality standards and is brewed by authentic Trappist monks.

Beer in Belgian Society

Beer is deeply ingrained in Belgian society. It is used in culinary creations, such as cheese washed with beer, and is celebrated at numerous town festivals. Bruges even boasts a pipeline that transports over 1,000 gallons of beer per hour on a two-mile journey.

Unesco’s Recognition

Unesco’s decision to include Belgian beer culture on its Intangible Heritage List highlights its global significance. The list recognizes cultural practices that are in need of safeguarding and those that represent the unique heritage of different cultures.

Other Intangible Cultural Heritage

Belgian beer culture joins a diverse range of other practices on Unesco’s Intangible Heritage List, including:

  • India’s Chhau dance
  • Croatian gingerbread craft
  • Brazilian celebration of Our Lady of Nazareth
  • Falconry in the United Kingdom
  • Askiya, the art of wit in Uzbekistan
  • Black pottery manufacturing in Portugal

A Well-Earned Honor

Belgium’s designation as a beer-loving nation is well-deserved. With over 168 active breweries and an average per capita consumption of 72 liters annually, Belgium’s beer culture is a testament to its rich brewing traditions.

Belgian Pride

Belgian leaders and brewers have expressed their pride in Unesco’s recognition. They compare the honor to winning the World Cup, highlighting the importance of beer to Belgian identity.

Unesco’s Culinary Protection

Unesco has a history of recognizing food and drink as worthy of cultural protection. In recent years, the agency has added Champagne and other French wines to its World Heritage list and included Armenian lavash and traditional Mexican cuisine on its Intangible Heritage List.

Celebrating Belgian Beer

The inclusion of Belgian beer culture on Unesco’s list is a cause for celebration for Belgians. It is an acknowledgment of their unique heritage and a testament to the enduring legacy of Belgium’s beer-making traditions. Whether it’s at a local festival or in the comfort of their homes, Belgians will continue to raise a glass to their beloved beer.

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Culture and Tradition

French Baguette Receives UNESCO Protection: A Tribute to Culinary Tradition and Cultural Identity

by Kim
written by Kim

UNESCO Recognizes French Baguette as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Cultural Significance of the French Baguette

The French baguette, a symbol of French culture and culinary tradition, has been officially recognized by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage.” This prestigious designation acknowledges the unique artisanal know-how and cultural practices that have shaped the baguette’s enduring popularity.

UNESCO’s Recognition

On Wednesday, UNESCO added the “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread” to its list of “intangible cultural heritage.” This designation signifies the baguette’s profound cultural significance and the need to safeguard it for future generations.

The UNESCO World Heritage List

Intangible cultural heritage, as defined by UNESCO, encompasses traditions, practices, and expressions that are inherited and passed down through generations. These practices contribute to a community’s identity and sense of belonging. The baguette, with its unique shape, crusty exterior, and airy interior, is a cherished symbol of French culture.

The Role of Artisanal Bakers

The baguette’s exceptional quality is a testament to the skill and dedication of artisanal bakers. Traditional French bakers follow time-honored techniques, using only four simple ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. The kneading, shaping, and baking processes require meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a bread that is both flavorful and nutritious.

Challenges Facing Traditional Bakeries

Despite its cultural significance, the traditional French bakery is facing numerous challenges. The rise of large supermarkets and chain stores has led to the closure of many small, family-owned bakeries. Additionally, the rising costs of flour and other ingredients due to global economic factors have forced many bakeries to raise their prices.

The Impact of UNESCO Recognition

UNESCO’s recognition of the baguette is not only a symbolic gesture but may also have a positive impact on the survival of traditional bakeries. The designation raises awareness of the importance of these small businesses and their role in preserving French culinary heritage. It could also lead to increased support for local bakeries, helping them to overcome the economic challenges they face.

Other Cultural Practices Added to UNESCO’s List

The baguette is not the only cultural practice to receive UNESCO recognition. Other recent additions to the intangible heritage list include Spain’s manual bell ringing, Slovenia’s beekeeping, and Kun Lbokator, a traditional martial art from Cambodia. These designations highlight the diversity of cultural expressions around the world and the importance of safeguarding them for future generations.

UNESCO’s Commitment to Cultural Preservation

Through its intangible cultural heritage list, UNESCO plays a vital role in preserving and promoting cultural traditions and practices that are essential to the identity of communities around the world. The recognition of the French baguette is a testament to UNESCO’s commitment to safeguarding the world’s rich cultural heritage and ensuring that it continues to thrive for generations to come.

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Culinary Arts

Naples’ Pizza-Making Tradition: A Unesco-Recognized Cultural Art

by Zuzana
written by Zuzana

Naples’ Pizza-Making Tradition Earns Unesco Heritage Status

Pizza: A Cultural Art in Naples

In Naples, Italy, pizza is more than just a convenient meal. It’s a cherished cultural art form, and its unique pizza-making process has recently been granted Unesco heritage status.

The art of “pizzaiuolo,” as it’s known in Naples, has been passed down through generations. It involves a specific set of techniques and traditions that create the perfect Neapolitan pizza.

The Pizzaiuolo’s Craft

To achieve the perfect Neapolitan slice, pizzaiuoli follow strict guidelines. The dough must be kneaded for at least 15 minutes and then left to rise for 12 hours. It’s then formed into balls and left to rise again.

The pizzaiuoli then stretch the dough by hurling it into the air, shape it into a circle, and sprinkle it with one of two types of toppings: marinara (tomato, oil, oregano, and garlic) or margarita (all of the aforementioned ingredients, plus basil and cheese).

The finished pizza is then cooked in an oven for just two minutes, resulting in an authentic Neapolitan pizza that tantalizes the taste buds.

Preserving the Tradition

To ensure the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza, the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) has established specific guidelines that restaurants must adhere to in order to receive trademark approval.

Aspiring pizza-makers can take courses on pizzaiulo at academies in Naples, but many residents learn the art from family members. Pizza-making has become a “social ritual” in Naples, involving singing and storytelling.

Unesco Recognition

Naples’ pizza-making tradition earned Unesco heritage status in 2017, a testament to its cultural significance. The designation was met with jubilation in Naples, and pizza-makers celebrated by handing out free slices in the streets.

Other Intangible Heritage Traditions

Unesco’s 2017 intangible heritage list also included other fascinating practices, such as:

  • Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, a Saudi Arabian wall-decorating tradition upheld by women
  • Kumbh Mela, a sacred festival in India
  • Whistled language in Turkey, which once facilitated communication in mountainous regions

Preserving Cultural Practices

Unesco’s intangible heritage list aims to highlight and protect unique cultural practices around the world. By recognizing the art of pizzaiuolo, Unesco has ensured that this cherished Neapolitan tradition will continue to thrive for generations to come.

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