At the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee, several living traditions were inscribed this year on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Among them, the Moroccan caftan – art, traditions and craftsmanship was officially recognized in New Delhi, highlighting the ancestral techniques and artisanal know-how passed down through generations.
Haitian compas, a musical and dance genre born in the 1950s and carrying themes of peace, freedom and resistance, was also honored. Finally, Swiss yodeling, an Alpine vocal tradition practiced by thousands of singers and choirs, joined dozens of other cultural expressions added by UNESCO. These new inscriptions underline the urgent need to preserve and celebrate the world’s cultural diversity.
