Five traditions of Spain

"K2T Wisata"

Since 2008, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was created by UNESCO as a program seeking for a better protection and awareness of the significance of intangible cultural heritage as essential for creative expression and cultural diversity. Now on November 16th, 2010, five traditions of Spain were added to that list during a meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee in Nairobi, Kenia.

On the first place, shared with Greece, Italy and northern Morocco, there is the Mediterranean Diet, which is 9000 years old and has scientifically recognized benefits that explain its popularity. It consists mainly on a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and dried fruits, olive oil as the essential grease, lots of fish, bread and cereal (especially wheat) and a moderate consumption of meat and dairy.

The Mediterranean Diet has previously been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (OMS) as an alimentary model of sustainable and healthy quality. While doing tourism in Spain, make sure to give it a try!

Then there is falconry, or hawking, a sport and millennial art in which birds of prey –especially falcons- are used either to hunt or to pursue game for the people involved. In this category, the joint postulation included the Arabian Emirates, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Syria and Qatar.

Flamenco, an iconic representation of Spain in the world, was recognized this time, after a failed attempt in 2005 in a similar UNESCO category:  Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This traditional Andalusian dance is part of the identity of Spain and something not to be missed by all those who take a trip to Spain.

On the fourth place are the “castells”, human towers that are raised in the squares of Cataluña since 200 years ago. These expressions of the culture of Spain have reached the 10 stories, though only in two occasions.

Last but not least, the medieval Cant de la Sibilla –the song of the Sybil-  was also chosen.  It is a Gregorian chant and liturgical drama of a prophecy of the Apocalypse. Originated in the island of Mallorca, in Spain, this song is still performed on Christmas Eve in churches of both Mallorca and the Italian Alghero, in the Island of Sardinia.