UNESCO Adds Mediterranean Diet To Culture List

The Mediterranean diet’s placement on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage opens horizons not only for the broadcasting of Greece’s local culture and traditions but also for the surfacing of Greek products and local food of the islands and regions, the Culture and Tourism Ministry said in a recent press release.

During the 5th Session of a UNESCO Intergovern­mental Committee that took place in Nairobi, Kenya, in November, the inclusion of the Mediterranean Diet on the UNESCO list was examined and accepted. The request was made by Greece together with the governments of Spain, Italy and Morocco.

“The Mediterranean diet (from the Greek diaita, or way of life) encompasses more than just food. It promotes social interaction, since communal meals are the cornerstone of social customs and festive events. It has given rise to a considerable body of knowledge, songs, maxims, tales and legends,” UNESCO mentioned in its description of the Mediterranean diet.

According to the culture and tourism ministry, the Mediterranean Diet’s inclusion on the UNESCO list would benefit the development and attractiveness of the Greek countryside as a welcoming space for residents and visitors.