Italian Cuisine Celebrated as Cultural Heritage
ROME – Italian cuisine, famous for its fresh ingredients and delightful flavors, received a new accolade on Wednesday. The United Nations Cultural Affairs Agency has officially recognized Italian culinary traditions as part of the world’s “intangible” cultural heritage.
UNESCO added the customs surrounding the preparation and enjoyment of Italian food to its list of traditional practices. This designation is noteworthy, especially since Italy is already well represented on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which includes iconic sites like the Colosseum and Pompeii.
While this announcement doesn’t highlight specific dishes or regional variations, it does underline the cultural significance Italians place on their culinary rituals. Everything from Sunday family gatherings, where meals are shared, to grandmothers passing down the art of making tortellini highlights the communal aspect of Italian cooking.
“Cooking is an expression of love, a way to communicate how you care for others,” said Pier Luigi Petrillo, a member of the Italian UNESCO Campaign and law professor at La Sapienza University in Rome. He also mentioned that the tradition of taking time to enjoy meals together isn’t common everywhere.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised this recognition as a celebration of Italian identity. She remarked, “For us Italians, cooking transcends mere sustenance. It embodies our culture, tradition, and richness.”
This isn’t the first time a national cuisine has received such recognition. In 2010, UNESCO included “French gastronomy,” spotlighting the French practice of celebrating moments with food. Recently, other cultures have followed suit, including Spain’s cider culture and Senegal’s traditional cuisine.
UNESCO evaluates new cultural practices and expressions annually, categorizing them into three types: a representative list, a list of practices needing urgent protection, and one for good protection practices.
This year’s committee meeting in New Delhi reviewed 53 nominations among a total of 788 items. Other candidates included yodeling in Switzerland and a handloom technique from Bangladesh.
In its nomination, Italy emphasized the sustainable and diverse nature of its cuisine. The focus on seasonality, fresh ingredients, and minimizing waste showcases Italy’s rich culinary tradition, rooted in regional differences and influenced by immigration.
“For me, Italian food is simply the best. Nothing compares,” said Francesco Renzi, a pasta chef at Osteria da Fortunata in Rome. He reflected on how some argue that spaghetti has Chinese origins, but he believes Italy has created a global culinary sensation around it.
Renzi credits his passion to his grandmother, recalling her making ravioli with a rolling pin during family gatherings. “Those memories have lingered with me for years,” he added.
Mirella Pozzoli, a tourist from Lombardy visiting Rome, noted that dining together is particularly meaningful for Italians. “Sitting at the table with loved ones is a cherished ritual, unlike any other,” she expressed.
Italy now boasts 13 items on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, including Sicilian puppetry and the craftsmanship of Cremonese violins. The country has previously gained recognition for its culinary traditions, including the Mediterranean Diet in 2013 and a nod to Neapolitan pizza in 2017.
Petrillo observed a significant impact since 2017, with a more than 400% rise in accredited pizza-making schools in Naples. “Following UNESCO’s approval, we’ve seen notable economic benefits in tourism, product sales, and education,” he noted.
