The Kozani “Fani” carnival tradition. Photo source: Ministry of Culture/Soula Palentza.
THE Greek Ministry of Culture announced this week that it had added 21 traditions, customs and practices to his National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage as part of its commitment to UNESCOConvention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage”.
The list that was improved last year twice now also includes centuries-old customs, religious ceremonies and festivities that take place in Ioannina, Penthouse, Arta, Kozani, Drama, Thessaloniki, Larisa, Elefsina, Serres And Naoussa and on the islands of Samos, Crete, Chios, Skopelos And Aegina.
The Kagelar dance in Arta. Photo source: Ministry of Culture/ Thanasis Nikolos.
“The Ministry of Culture considers it particularly important to add new items of intangible cultural heritage to the national index, thus contributing to the preservation of our collective identity,” said the Minister of Culture. Lina Mendoni.
Among others this year included are by Ioannina goldsmith craftsmanship, the Kozani”Fani” the carnival tradition, the heritage of Aegina pistachioTHE xinomavro viticultural practices of Naoussa, the pottery practices of Heraklion Crete, the embroidered bread of Varnavas (Attica), the traditional preparation ofkarambasi» essential oil in Crete, the traditional outdoor festival on August 15 in ZagoriThe directory horse races In Doxato (Drama), the “kagelari” dance event in Arta, and many other traditions and customs.
Essential oils from Karambasi, Crete. Photo source: Ministry of Culture.
“Our intangible cultural heritage contains evidence of deep cultural imprint of a rich and, to some extent, unexplored past. It is a key part of our culture. We must honor and respect it. Modern society has its roots in tradition, in history, in the experiences of people who came before us,” Mendoni said.
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