BNS

The tradition of Lithuanian straw gardens (called siaudiniai sodai) has been included in UNESCO’s Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, the Minister of Culture announced.

“The tradition of tying straw gardens is already on UNESCO’s Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list!” This is both an important achievement of cultural diplomacy and a meaningful actualization of the deep tradition of our country,” Simonas Kairys announced on Tuesday evening. “Straw gardens in Lithuania remain a vital part of intangible heritage. In many public and private spaces, such gardens still quietly rotate. Their masters teach the subtleties of this art to the younger generation as well,” said the minister.

The Ministry of Culture submitted a nomination application for straw gardens to UNESCO last year. The purpose of the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is to ensure better awareness of intangible cultural heritage, draw attention to its importance, promote intercultural dialogue and respect for cultural diversity.

The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity already includes the tradition of song and dance festivals in the Baltic states. Lithuanian multipart songs (called sutartines) and cross-crafting.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is responsible for compiling and constantly updating the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.