Italian cuisine has become the first national culinary style in the world to be recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, marking an important turning point in preserving unique cultural values.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed this decision, emphasizing that this is a great pride when cuisine is not only a dish but also the culture, tradition and identity of the Italian people.
This title is the result of a 3-year campaign promoted by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at recognizing the entire process from planting, harvesting to processing and serving dishes as a vivid cultural practice.
According to Mr. Pier Luigi Petrillo, one of the participants in building the nomination dossier, cooking in Italy goes far beyond nutritional needs, becoming a complex and traditional daily practice.
UNESCO recognition also helps Italy strengthen the protection of cuisine against counterfeit goods and products bearing the name "Italy" but without real origin. The country's government has repeatedly protested against products such as pre-packaged carbonara sauce or fake olive oil appearing on the international market.
Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida said that this title not only brings pride but also creates more opportunities for economic development, improves product value, promotes jobs and strengthens the domestic supply chain.
UNESCO often awards titles to tangible and intangible heritages, from historical works to cultural practices. Being recognized helps increase international prestige but also poses a responsibility for preservation.
Italy is one of the leading tourist destinations in Europe, and this recognition is expected to continue to attract tourists, while promoting agricultural exports, which have now reached about 70 billion euros.
Previously, many cultural elements of Italy were recognized by UNESCO, such as opera singing, Napoli pizza making, or truffle hunting. This nomination dossier emphasizes "living culinary landscapes", reflecting biodiversity, sustainability, and family traditions passed down through generations.
