Listening6 UNESCO Lists 'Intangible Heritage' Traditions

Q：What is the purpose of UNESCO？ 

BARBARA KLEIN: I'm Barbara Klein.

STEVE EMBER: And I'm Steve Ember with EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English. Today we tell about recent efforts by the United Nations to honor and protect different cultural traditions from around the world. U.N. experts meeting in Nairobi, Kenya recently announced this year's cultural protection list.

BARBARA KLEIN: One of the many aims of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is to protect culture in all of its many representations. Its World Heritage program identifies threats to valuable natural and cultural places around the world. But what about cultural expressions that are not a set place, building or collection of objects?

Since two thousand three, UNESCO has also worked to protect what it calls the "intangible heritage" of humanity. It defines intangible heritage as living traditions that are passed on from one generation to another. These include spoken traditions, festivals, performing arts, social ceremonies and cultural knowledge. UNESCO recently announced fifty-one additions to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

STEVE EMBER: Several of this year's intangible heritage traditions are about food. For example, France made the list for its rich traditions involving the cooking and enjoyment of food and drink. A traditional French meal includes several wines and dishes including meat, cheese and dessert. The importance of the meal in France is also about bringing together family and friends to honor special occasions.

Mexico was also chosen for its food traditions. Many cooking methods in that country are ancient. The three main foods in Mexican cooking include corn, beans and chili. The foods are linked to special methods of farming and also to special celebrations.

Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco were recognized for their collective cooking traditions, described by UNESCO as the Mediterranean diet.

Croatia is listed for its gingerbread tradition. This sweet bread is made from flour, sugar, baking soda and spices. It takes skill and speed to make gingerbread. Each baker paints the gingerbread and can add pictures and messages to the design. Gingerbread can be made to observe special events such as weddings.

BARBARA KLEIN: Other intangible traditions take place at festivals. For example, the oil-wrestling tradition in Turkey takes place in Edirne. Men wear pants made out of leather. Their bodies are covered in oil. They compete to be the best fighter. The winner gets a golden belt.

In Luxembourg, a festival in the ancient town of Esternach involves prayer, song and dance. As many as eight thousand dancers take part in this event that dates back to the year eleven hundred.

STEVE EMBER: This year's list of intangible heritage includes several traditions from Iran. These include the skill of making floor coverings. Important places for carpet-weaving include Fars and Kashan. Another Iranian tradition is Ta'ziye. This performance art tells stories about religious and historical events through music, song and movement. Pahlevani is a form of physical training for self-defense. But it is about more than movement. The tradition includes knowledge of religious, moral and social teachings.

BARBARA KLEIN: Many of this year's cultural traditions involve music.

Flamenco from Spain combines music, dance and song. This intense music expresses emotions such as joy, grief or pain. Flamenco dancers use their feet to pound complex rhythms. Guitar music adds to the emotional performance. Flamenco is performed in many areas of southern Spain, including Andalusia.

Marimba music and singing are performed in the South Pacific area of Colombia. The area's African ancestry influences this music.