Italian cuisine has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

On December 10th, the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially recognized Italian cuisine as a cultural icon.
According to an announcement made during UNESCO's session in New Delhi (India), reported by a VNA correspondent in Rome, Italian cuisine – from pasta and mozzarella cheese to wine and tiramisu – will be inscribed on the prestigious list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In its announcement, UNESCO described Italian cuisine as “a cultural and social blend of culinary traditions” and a way of “caring for oneself and others, expressing love and rediscovering cultural roots” while providing communities with a channel “to share their history and describe the world around them.”

According to UNESCO, Italian cuisine is a community activity that emphasizes connection with food, respect for ingredients, and moments of togetherness around the table… People of all ages and genders participate, exchanging recipes, suggestions, and stories, with grandparents often passing down traditional dishes to their children and grandchildren.

In a video posted on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Instagram account just minutes after the announcement, she said she was incredibly proud. She stated: “We are the first in the world to receive this recognition, which honors our people and our identity. For Italians, cuisine is not simply food or a collection of recipes. It is much more than that: it is culture, tradition, work, and wealth.”

Meanwhile, Italy's Agriculture Minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, emphasized that this victory is "a celebration for everyone because it speaks to our roots, our creativity, and our ability to transform tradition into reality."

The Italian government submitted an application in March 2023 to have its national cuisine recognized as an 'intangible cultural heritage,' emphasizing the connection between traditional Italian food, culture, and lifestyle, describing it as an intimate social ritual that binds families and communities together.

Italy already has 21 other traditions on this list of intangible cultural heritage, including Neapolitan pizza making and opera singing, and it is the first country to be recognized for its entire culinary heritage rather than just a single tradition or recipe.

Italy boasts the world's largest number of UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage sites, making it an attractive destination for tourists. Now that Italian cuisine is included on the list, even more visitors are expected to come to Italy.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/am-thuc-italy-duoc-unesco-cong-nhan-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-post1082327.vnp