Traditional Ways of Making Artisan Minas Cheese included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

This decision was announced this Wednesday (4 December 2024) during the 19th ordinary session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay. Ninety States have submitted 63 nominations for inclusion in the Convention Lists.

Having the Traditional Ways of Making Artisan Minas Cheese inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage will contribute to raising visibility and recognizing the importance of intangible cultural heritage - particularly concerning practices and elements of social life expressed in traditional knowledge, craftsmanship, and ways of making - as well as broadening dialogue to reflect cultural diversity and foster creativity.

The Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognizes and promotes the diversity of cultural practices and knowledge developed by communities. Intangible Cultural Heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, religious rituals, festive events, knowledge, practices, and techniques related to nature, the universe, and craftsmanship.

The Traditional Ways of Making Artisan Minas Cheese symbolize the country’s rich cultural diversity and traditional knowledge, which connect generations and strengthen local communities’ identities. Including another Brazilian element in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List also acknowledges its relevance for inclusive and sustainable economic development. - Marlova Jovchelovitch NoletoDirector and Representative to UNESCO in Brazil

The Traditional Ways of Making Artisan Minas Cheese nomination was officially submitted to UNESCO’s appreciation in March 2023 by the Advisory Council on Cultural Heritage of the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). With its approval, the Traditional Ways of Making Artisan Minas Cheese has become the first Brazilian cultural asset associated with food culture to be recognized by UNESCO as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Brazil, other cultural expressions have already been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as Samba de Roda in the Recôncavo Baiano; Kusiwa Art: Wajãpi Body Painting and Graphic Art; Frevo: Performing Arts of Recife’s Carnival; Círio de Nazaré (The Taper of Our Lady of Nazareth); Capoeira Circles; and the Cultural Complex of Bumba Meu Boi from Maranhão.

Intangible cultural heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, religious rituals, festive events, knowledge, practices, and techniques related to nature, the universe, and craftsmanship.

The Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognizes and promotes the diversity of cultural practices and knowledge developed by communities. Inclusion in the List encourages all stakeholders to implement safeguarding actions for these practices in close collaboration with their practitioners.

The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding identifies elements of living heritage whose survival is threatened, allowing the States Parties to the Convention to mobilize the necessary international cooperation and assistance to protect them.

Registering Good Safeguarding Practices highlights programmes, projects, and activities that best reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention.