The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) today declared "Los Saberes de los Maestros del Ron Ligero", a candidacy presented by Cuba, as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
According to a report by the Cuban Rum Masters Movement, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage during its 17th session in Rabat, Morocco, considered that the knowledge of the Masters of Light Rum "allows the transmission from generation to generation of scientific knowledge, traditional practices, cultural and social values, associated with the formation of the nation's sugar agro-industrial heritage".
The Cuban delegation, headed by Yahima Esquivel Moynelo, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Cuba to UNESCO, and Sonia Virgen Pérez Mojena, President of the National Heritage Council of Cuba, thanked the Committee for the decision.
She also recognized that this inscription will preserve and recognize the value of intangible heritage associated with the oral transmission of traditional knowledge, related to handicraft manufacturing processes of natural, indigenous products, with a historical, cultural and symbolic value for communities, in harmony with the environment, ecoculture and sustainable development.
The teachers present in Rabat, expressed that this community "is distinguished by the joint and fraternal work aimed at preserving and transmitting knowledge, cultural tradition and shared heritage, without distinguishing personal brands or recognitions," said the Permanent Mission of Cuba to UNESCO.
During the Committee's session, they add, 56 candidatures were evaluated, highlighting the analysis of elements related to gastronomy, as is the case of the Cuban candidacy.