Greece Adds 16 New Elements to National Intangible Cultural Heritage Index

The making of Limnos’ traditional cheese (melihloro/melipasto). Photo © Greek Culture Ministry

The Greek Culture Ministry recently announced the inclusion of 16 new elements to Greece’s National Directory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

“The 16 elements registered in the National Directory of Intangible Cultural Heritage reflect aspects of Greek popular expression and creativity, whether in music and dance, know-how and traditional ways of cultivation that promote the sustainable management of natural resources. Intangible cultural heritage is our collective identity,” said Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Since 2008, Greece has included 39 elements on the directory.

The addition of the 16 newly recognized elements “demonstrates the importance we give to the protection of oral traditions and expressions, to social practices and festive events, to knowledge concerning nature, to the know-how associated with traditional handicraft; to all those elements that make up Greek folk tradition and our intangible cultural heritage,” Mendoni added.

The 16 elements are:

1. 1. The Genitsaroi and Boules tradition of Naoussa.
   2. The popular guitar used in the “laiko” music genre.
      

      Photo © artport.gr

   3. Elefsina’s Mesosporitissa ritual.
   4. The traditional water management practices of Lassithi, Crete.
   5. Englouvi’s Lentils, Lefkada.
   6. Lefkada’s “porsnaiko” knife.
   7. The Argoustaria tradition of Kastoria.
   8. The open-air festival of Agia Agathi, Aitoliko.
      

      Photo © Greek Culture Ministry

   9. The cheese-making tradition of Limnos (melihloro/melipasto).
   10. The “stafnokari” fishing tradition of Aitoliko.
       

       Photo © Greek Culture Ministry

   11. The Nea Aghialos vine cultivation.
   12. The Kykles dance of the Ioannina region.
   13. The cultivation and processing of tobacco in Macedonia and Thrace.
   14. The Olympos feast, Karpathos.
   15. The Ai Giorgis ritual of Ano Doliana, Arcadia.
       

       Photo © Greek Culture Ministry

   16. The art pottery tradition of the Kourtzis family, Lesvos.