UNESCO has officially included Italian cuisine on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its social and cultural importance and its role in building national identity. The decision was made unanimously during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi, India, where Italy's nomination was received with applause.
This recognition encompasses a series of daily practices rooted in Italian tradition, including the sharing of food, the transmission of gastronomic knowledge and respect for ingredients, elements that UNESCO considers fundamental for community cohesion and the preservation of intangible heritage.
According to the Committee, Italian cuisine represents more than food; preparations, domestic rituals and care for ingredients form a social whole that expresses identity and cultural belonging. Cooking in the Italian style, according to UNESCO, is a way of taking care of oneself and others, creating connections between people and transmitting collective memory.
The sustainability of the table, the combination of traditional recipes with local knowledge, and the role of families in preserving culinary techniques contribute to defining a dynamic heritage, renewed through different generations.
