Yodeling to become a UNESCO cultural heritage site
Published: Tuesday, Apr 2nd 2024, 12:10
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Switzerland has submitted a candidacy to Unesco for yodelling to be included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The candidacy is expected to be reviewed by the end of 2025, as announced by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) on Tuesday.
Yodelling is an exemplary and characteristic Swiss song, according to the press release. Although yodelling is firmly anchored in the population, commitment is still needed to further develop the song and preserve it for future generations, the BAK added.
Specific measures have been "identified and developed". Among other things, the "yodelling world" is to be better networked throughout Switzerland and young talent is to be promoted. According to the BAK, most of the 12,000 yodellers belong to one of the 780 groups of the Federal Yodelling Association.
The BAK compiled the application dossier together with experts and representatives of yodelling organizations.The evaluation process took 18 months. The BAK expects Unesco's decision by the end of 2025.
With the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Unesco wants to protect a cultural heritage that is less about buildings or spaces and more about community practices and social interactions. This includes, for example, oral forms of expression, festivals or traditional craft techniques.
Several Swiss traditions are already on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include the winegrowers' festival in Vevey, the Basel carnival and, together with Austria, dealing with the risk of avalanches.
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