More countries join forces on UNESCO living heritage nominations
The committee meeting in Xiamen will consider 64 nominations, including 18 submitted jointly by multiple countries.
Eighty-two countries have put forward 64 nominations for UNESCO’s next review of living cultural heritage. The committee meets in Xiamen, China, from November 30 to December 5. It will consider 18 multinational files, double the number it considered in 2025.
Living heritage includes knowledge and practices passed through communities, such as performing arts, rituals and food traditions. The nominations can involve traditions maintained on both sides of a border. Some joint files also seek to extend existing listings to include more countries.
Eswatini, Lesotho, South Sudan and Tanzania could receive their first inscriptions if their nominations succeed. The agenda also includes a nomination concerning knowledge and practices associated with Chinese cuisine. UNESCO has published the provisional programme and nomination materials ahead of the meeting.