Many European traditions have been added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage this year, joining the 450 items already on the list. Here they are:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Grass mowing competition in Kupres. In this competition, the goal is to cut as much grass as well as possible in the shortest amount of time, with a scythe.
- Czech Republic: Handmade production of Christmas tree decorations from blown glass beads.
- Finland: Sauna culture.
- France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy: The musical art of horn players.
- France and Switzerland: Craftsmanship of mechanical watchmaking and art mechanics.
- Malta: Ftira, a traditional ring-shaped sourdough bread.
- Poland and Belarus: Tree beekeeping culture, where beehives are kept in trees with as little human interference as possible.
- Serbia: Zlakusa pottery making, hand-wheel pottery making in the village of Zlakusa.
- Spain: The ‘running of the wine horses’ in Caravaca de la Cruz, a yearly festival based on a legend about the Knights Templar. According to this legend, the knights brought wine into a city under siege by tying bags of wine to their horses and running to the city with them.
Source: The Independent, UNESCO intangible cultural heritage website
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