The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts. The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.
Greece ratified the convention on 3 January 2007.
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Representative List Name Image Year No. Description Mediterranean diet + 2013 00884https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/mediterranean-diet-00884 The Mediterranean diet is the traditional food and methods of preparation used by the people of the Mediterranean basin, as well as everything related to it. Know-how of cultivating mastic on the island of Chios 2014 00993https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/know-how-of-cultivating-mastic-on-the-island-of-chios-00993 Mastic is a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). It is also known as tears of Chios, being traditionally produced on the island Chios, and, like other natural resins, is produced in "tears" or droplets. Tinian marble craftsmanship 2015 01103https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/tinian-marble-craftsmanship-01103 Marble craftsmanship on the island of Tinos. Momoeria, New Year's celebration in eight villages of Kozani area, West Macedonia, Greece 2016 01184https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/momoeria-new-year-s-celebration-in-eight-villages-of-kozani-area-west-macedonia-greece-01184 New Year's celebration in Kozani area (Western Macedonia). Rebetiko 2017 01291https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/rebetiko-01291 Rebetiko can be described as the urban popular song of the Greeks, especially the poorest, from the late 19th century to the 1950s, and served as the basis for further developments in popular Greek music. Art of dry stone construction, knowledge and techniques + 2018 02106https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/art-of-dry-stone-construction-knowledge-and-techniques-02106 Dry stone is a building method by which structures are constructed from stones without any mortar to bind them together. Byzantine chant + 2019 01508https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/byzantine-chant-01508 The Byzantine chant in the Eastern Orthodox liturgy dates back to the Byzantine Empire. August 15 (Dekapentavgoustos) festivities in two Highland Communities of Northern Greece: Tranos Choros (Grand Dance) in Vlasti and Syrrako Festival 2022 01726https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/august-15th-dekapentavgoustos-festivities-in-two-highland-communities-of-northern-greece-tranos-choros-grand-dance-in-vlasti-and-syrrako-festival-01726 August 15 festivities: Grand Dance in Vlasti and Festival in Syrrako. Transhumance, the seasonal droving of livestock + 2023 01964https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/transhumance-the-seasonal-droving-of-livestock-01964 Transhumance is a type of pastoralism or nomadism, a seasonal movement of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. Messosporitissa Festivity (All-holy Mother of God of the Mid-Sowing Season Festivity), Feast of Our Lady at the Ancient Ruins 2024 02101https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/messosporitissa-festivity-all-holy-mother-of-god-of-the-mid-sowing-season-festivity-feast-of-our-lady-at-the-ancient-ruins-02101
Good Safeguarding Practices Name Year No. Description Polyphonic Caravan, researching, safeguarding and promoting the Epirus polyphonic song 2020 01611https://ich.unesco.org/en/BSP/polyphonic-caravan-researching-safeguarding-and-promoting-the-epirus-polyphonic-song-01611 The Polyphonic Caravan is a project to research, safeguard and promote the Epirus polyphonic song.
See also List of World Heritage Sites in Greece
Notes
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Greece: Official site