Starting this Wednesday, classics such as pasta carbonara, spaghetti bolognese, lasagna, risottothe tiramisu, the ice-cream artisanal pizza, Margherita pizza, Caprese salad, extra virgin olive oil or limoncello They are Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO has recognized not only these emblematic recipes, but the entire Italian culinary tradition, with its immense variety of flavors, its techniques, its rituals, the relationship with the territory, its respect for ingredients and the art of bringing people together around the table.
The United Nations body, meeting in New Delhi, has inscribed Italian cuisine on its Representative List, which not only nourishes, but transmits history, identity and passion. And that it has been consolidated as “a model of sociocultural identity”, an emotional legacy that transcends the borders of the European country and a “unifying system that transforms time shared at the table into a tool to express feelings, build dialogues or share ideas.” This recognition not only praises the iconic Italian recipes, popular around the world, but also their deep connection with the history, identity and way of life of the transalpine country.
Italy thus adds a new cultural pride to its imaginary of excellence and gains muscle by remembering that its rich gastronomic tradition is transmitted from generation to generation and that its cuisine is not only eaten, but also lived. “The proposal to enter the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity does not refer to a single dish or recipe, but to a shared cultural model, composed of community experiences, conscious choice of raw materials, coexistence at the table, transmission of knowledge to new generations and respect for the seasons of products and territories,” the Italian ministries of Culture and Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, which presented Italy’s candidacy to UNESCO in 2023, say in a report, with the support of a group of experts and scholars of Italian cuisine. “Italian cuisine is much more than a set of recipes: it is a daily ritual that has always accompanied us and that, every day, defines us. It is a tradition in continuous movement, which transforms, adapts and is enriched thanks to the infinite local influences that pass through it. It is precisely this vitality, this ability to evolve without losing its essence, which led us to propose Italian cuisine as a UNESCO Heritage Site,” said the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida.
The promoters also highlight the sentimental value that gastronomy has for Italians: “Italian cuisine is the ‘cuisine of affection’: it transmits memories, care, relationships and identity, telling stories of families and communities through food. It reflects the link between natural landscapes and communities, embodying the memory, daily life and culture of the territories.” Based on the file presented by Rome, this tradition has been able to revalue its origins of “poor cuisine”, historically characterized by recipes for use and sustainability.
UNESCO has also recognized the great regional diversity of the country. The Italian catalog covers from risottos typical of the north or the prosciutto from Emilia Romagna, to meats and stuffed pastas such as tortellini, through the different types of pasta with the multiple sauces typical of each region, forming a heterogeneous culinary mosaic.
Italy is proudly celebrating the recognition of its cuisine. From the Government to the great masters of the kitchen, the entire country has received the news with enthusiasm. Chefs, gourmets and distinguished cultural figures have stressed that this achievement does not belong only to professionals, but to each Italian family that has kept their culinary traditions alive. The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, celebrated the news through a recorded message in which she described the decision as “a historic recognition that honors the Italian people, that celebrates our identity and that makes our lifestyle known.”
In the midst of national enthusiasm, the renowned chef Massimo Bottura has highlighted the cultural, emotional and social value that Italian gastronomy contains. “It is not just a set of dishes or recipes, but a ritual of love, a language made of gestures, aromas and flavors that keep an entire country together. Around a set table, Italy recognizes itself: there dreams are shared, discussions are made, peace is made, memories are transmitted. For us it is not just about feeding: it is about taking care of family, friends, our diners in our restaurants. Italian cuisine is a living intangible heritage: built day by day by millions of hands of farmers, cheesemakers, ranchers, artisans and cooks.”
Beyond the symbolic value, recognition could have a concrete impact on tourism and employment. According to some estimates from associations in the tourism and gastronomic sector, “the effect on tourist flows could translate into an increase in foreign presences of between 6% and 8% in the first two years, which would mean a total of about 18 million additional tourist presences.” The entrepreneurial association Confesercenti points out that “Italian restaurants are already an irreplaceable attraction for tourism.” According to their data, in 2024, foreign visitors spent 12,080 million euros in restaurants, bars and public venues, 7.5% more than in 2023. The forecasts are increasing. Added to this are tourist trips motivated by food and wine, which already generate 9 billion euros of direct spending today: a figure that confirms the role of Italian cuisine as a major factor when choosing a holiday destination.
Italy is no stranger to this type of recognition: in 2017, the art of pizza chefs who prepare Neapolitan pizzas was declared Intangible Heritage and in 2021 UNESCO also recognized with this distinction the traditional knowledge linked to the search and collection of truffles.
With the incorporation of Italian cuisine as a whole, Italy reaches a total of 21 own or shared cultural expressions recognized in the lists of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The transalpine country is establishing itself as one of the world’s great references in terms of cultural heritage.