Paris, 5 December 2024. Within the framework of the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay, UNESCO officially recognized the traditional knowledge and practices for the production and consumption of Casabe as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The proposal, presented by Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, is a reflection of the commitment of our nations to safeguard living heritage.
UNESCO justified the declaration of Casabe as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its relevance as a symbol of identity, social cohesion and sustainable development in Caribbean communities, while underlining the role of Casabe in preserving peace and dialogue between communities, and its importance as a cultural identity reference in the region.
The Committee meets annually to evaluate the nominations submitted by States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It also promotes the objectives of the Convention, provides advice on best practices and makes recommendations on safeguarding measures for intangible cultural heritage.
The Asunción meeting concluded with 58 new inscriptions on the lists of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Cuba has 6 national cultural manifestations inscribed on the list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, namely, the Tumba Francesa, the Cuban rumba, the Punto cubano, the Parrandas de la región central de Cuba, the Saberes de los Maestros Roneros and the Bolero. The latter was presented jointly with Mexico.