The “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” list seeks to protect cultural practices in the same way UNESCO protects sites of cultural value or great natural beauty, and to encourage local communities to protect and sustain these unique cultural expressions, often vulnerable to globalization or intolerance
This year, UNESCO experts singled out French gastronomy as a “social custom aimed at celebrating the most important moments in the lives of individuals and groups.”
France’s ambassador to UNESCO Catherine Colonna hailed the inclusion, saying it “makes a contribution to cultural diversity.” France is already on the list for Maloya music, Aubusson tapestry, and a scribing tradition for timber framing.
Since 2003, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has honoured 212 “intangible” human traditions – from Chinese acupuncture and Japanese Kabuki theatre to Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival and the Argentinian tango.