Ceviche, Peruvian cuisine's signature and most representative dish, will begin its journey to obtain
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status.
The announcement was made by
Culture Minister Gisela Ortiz, who said Peru expects that the practices and meanings associated with the preparation and consumption of its national dish, ceviche, will achieve international recognition by UNESCO.
Currently, the Peruvian cultural heritage elements included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity are the Huaconada, ritual dance of Mito; the Scissors Dance; the Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit'I; the Festivity of Virgen de la Candelaria of Puno; the pottery-related values, knowledge, lore and practices of the Awajun people; among others.
The
Ministry of Culture, through the Directorate of Intangible Heritage —an organic unit of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage— is in charge of identifying, selecting, and proposing the country's intangible cultural heritage elements that deserve to be proposed for nomination.
Minister Ortiz affirmed that the nomination of the practices and meanings associated with the preparation and consumption of ceviche —a symbol of Peruvian cuisine— seeks to place value on the knowledge and work carried out by communities in maintaining, transmitting, and safeguarding diverse cultural traditions —in this case— of people involved in the preparation of Peru's flagship dish.
According to the government official, this nomination will highlight the importance of cuisine as a factor of social cohesion and mutual recognition among Peruvians.
It will also provide the opportunity to recognize the great contribution to food and the work of fishermen, fish farmers, agricultural producers, and traditional cooks from all over the country.
Furthermore, this nomination will promote care and sustainability of resources, which are fundamental and make Peru's traditional cuisine so diverse.
(END) NDP/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 12/24/2021