UNESCO Recognises Italy’s national Cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO has recognised Italy’s national cuisine as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, granting global recognition to a culinary tradition passed down through generations. Italy hopes the accolade will further boost cultural tourism and appreciation of its food heritage.

Decision at ICH Session in Delhi

The recognition was announced during the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), held at Delhi’s 17th-century Red Fort.

Alongside Italian cuisine, the session also inscribed other traditions on the heritage list, including:

• The Hindu festival of Diwali
• Swimming pool culture in Iceland

What the Recognition Covers

Italian cuisine—ranging from pasta, mozzarella, wine and tiramisu to diverse regional food traditions—will now be inscribed on UNESCO’s prestigious list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which celebrates living traditions, skills and cultural expressions rather than monuments or physical sites.

A First for Italy — and the World

Italy has now become the first country to be recognised for its cuisine in its entirety, rather than for a specific dish, recipe or culinary practice. This marks a significant expansion of how food cultures are acknowledged under UNESCO’s framework.

Italy’s Earlier Entries on the ICH List

Italy already has a strong presence on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Its earlier inscriptions include:

• Manual bell ringing (2024)
• Opera singing (2023)
• Truffle hunting and extraction (2019)
• Neapolitan pizza makers (pizzaiuoli) (2017)
• Celebrations of large shoulder-borne processional structures (2013)

Italy was also included among the countries associated with the Mediterranean diet, which was added to the list in 2013.

Boost to Cultural Diplomacy and Tourism

The recognition is expected to strengthen Italy’s cultural diplomacy, reinforce the global status of its culinary traditions, and attract tourists seeking authentic food experiences rooted in history, community practices and regional diversity.

About UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The ICH list aims to safeguard living cultural traditions—from festivals and performing arts to craftsmanship and foodways—that communities recognise as part of their cultural identity, ensuring their transmission to future generations.