Following a proposal by the Italian Association of Olive Oil Cities ‘CITTA DE L’OLIO’, a member of RECOMED, the Board of Directors unanimously decided to encourage and actively participate in the preparation of a proposal for the recognition of the cultural heritage of the olive and olive oil as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
Five representatives of the member countries of the Network undertook the preparation of the national Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of their country in consultation and cooperation with their relevant national body, specifically Italy, Greece, Spain, Tunisia and Morocco.
The recording has been completed and officially recorded in the national inventory of their country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage by Greece (OTRoutes Cultural Organisation) and Italy (‘CITTA DE L’OLIO’), while the process is expected to be completed by the other countries, since at least 4 countries are required for the submission of the inventory to UNESCO.
The information included in the Inventory allows a first acquaintance with the element as it is experienced by the community. The purpose of compiling the Inventories is both to highlight intangible cultural heritage through the inclusion of data in the National Inventories of Intangible Cultural Heritage and to support the planning and implementation of actions for its safeguarding. By intangible cultural heritage is meant oral traditions and expressions, arts and techniques, social practices-rituals-celebrations, knowledge and practices relating to nature, know-how related to traditional crafts, etc.