Italy has officially received UNESCO recognition for its national cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage, marking it as the first entire gastronomic style to earn this status. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the decision, emphasizing that Italian cooking embodies culture, tradition, and identity.
This designation concludes a three-year campaign by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture aimed at highlighting the country’s traditional food practices. It also aims to combat the proliferation of “fake” Italian products, such as prepackaged sauces and counterfeit olive oil.
Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida noted that this recognition will enhance the value of Italy’s culinary heritage and support the fight against culinary imitations. The UNESCO status usually leads to increased tourism and economic benefits, and Meloni highlighted that Italy already exports €70 billion in agricultural products.
Italy’s culinary diversity and emphasis on sustainability were central to the proposal, which also aligned with traditions passed down through generations, fostering a deep emotional connection to food. Previous UNESCO listings from Italy include the Neapolitan pizza makers and the Mediterranean diet.
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