Italy's rich culinary heritage earns a spot on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list
By Reuters
December 10, 2025 9:58 AM UTC
In Naples, Italy, people enjoy pizzas at L'antica Pizzeria da Michele as the nation awaits a pivotal UNESCO decision that could recognize Italian cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The moment captures a movement toward official acknowledgment of a beloved culinary tradition.
UNESCO has designated Italian cooking as an intangible cultural heritage, a development industry observers anticipate will positively impact tourism and preserve timeless cooking practices. The announcement comes during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) committee, hosted at the 17th-century Red Fort in New Delhi, India. Recent entries to the list include the Hindu festival of Diwali and Iceland’s celebrated pool culture.
Reporting by Tanvi Mehta. Editing by Peter Graff.
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