Ministry of Culture: Eleven new entries added to Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO

The nominations were prepared and submitted by the Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture.

“The inclusion of these eleven caller elements highlights the taste diverseness of Greek communities crossed our homeland, strengthening corporate memory, humanities continuity, and taste sustainability,” stated Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni.

“Each constituent of intangible taste practice is simply a precious bearer of identity, experience, and originative expression—linking past and contiguous portion shaping the future. Intangible practice is living, experiential, and transferable—a mode of life, perception, and information successful assemblage life. It remains a accordant precedence of our taste policy, not lone arsenic a taxable of extortion but arsenic an progressive tract of participation, education, and intergenerational exchange. These inclusions bespeak the Ministry’s ongoing enactment for the communities and institutions moving to safeguard and beforehand this heritage, strengthening their initiatives and jointly creating a modern and sustainable model for preserving this intangible yet profoundly tangible taste legacy.”

The eleven elements inscribed successful Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage are:

Kedara (Fitei, Imathia)
A Christmas customized performed astatine midnight connected December 23 by the Fitei Cultural Association successful collaboration with the section community. Members airy a ample bonfire of cedar branches, creation astir it, and stock roasted chickpeas, raisins, wine, and tsipouro. Traditional foods prepared by the women of the colony are served, and passim the night, participants chant rhythmically, “Kolinta Kolinta kai Christos gennietai” (“Christ is born”).

The Tsakonian Weaving Art of Kilims successful Tyros, Arcadia
In the store of the Psarrologou–Rodopoulou household successful Tyros, the contented of weaving kilims connected an upright loom has continued unbroken for 3 generations, passed down experientially from parent to daughter. Made of fabric warp and woolen weft, the kilims are woven wholly by manus and are identical connected some sides. Today, Elisavet Rodopoulou, a third-generation weaver, continues the trade with her mother, safeguarding and evolving the Tsakonian weaving tradition.

Bambinten of Petroussa (Drama)
A vibrant solemnisation held annually connected January 6–8, characterized by processions, accepted dances, section instruments (lyres and ntachares), and masquerades. The lawsuit blends past customs, communal feasting, and euphony successful a three-day village-wide celebration.

Lazaroudia of Rodavgi (Arta)
On the eve of Lazarus Saturday, residents of Rodavgi stitchery astatine the courtyard of St. Paraskevi Church to sing accepted Lazarus songs—a cherished Easter customized preserved by the section Cultural Association and assemblage groups.

The Dance of Gachelona successful Mikrokastro (Voio, Kozani)
A humorous, men’s circular creation performed connected New Year’s Day without philharmonic accompaniment. The pb dancer performs theatrical, improvised movements portion others travel successful rhythm, celebrating section wit and festive spirit.

Siniotikos Dance of Corfu
A accepted 2/4 bushed syrtos creation originating from the colony of Siniés. Danced successful a ellipse by men and women, the pb dancer performs elegant, skillful steps and flourishes.

Argos Orestiko Carnival (Kastoria)
A three-day yearly solemnisation held from December 31 to January 2, known arsenic the archetypal carnival of the twelvemonth and 1 of a benignant worldwide. Rooted successful Dionysian and Roman Calendae traditions, it features parades, costumed dances, and ritual performances dating backmost to astatine slightest the 19th century.

The Pottery Tradition of the Anetopoulos Family successful Malaki (Volos)
A people pottery trade sustained done 4 generations of the Anetopoulos household since the precocious 19th century, reflecting the heavy ties betwixt craftsmanship, worldly culture, and section individuality successful Volos.

Cultivation and Processing of Agen Prunes successful Skopelos
The achromatic Agen plum, primitively brought from France, has go integral to Skopelos’ cultivation and taste life. The effect is sun-dried successful accepted wood-fired ovens, and its cultivation has shaped the island’s societal and economical individuality crossed generations.

Trade Fair of Argos Orestiko
One of the oldest and largest commercialized fairs successful the Balkans, dating backmost to the 17th century. Held annually successful precocious September to aboriginal October, it remains a large commercialized and societal lawsuit for the region.

The “Cycle of Fava” successful the Greek Islands
A culinary and taste contented crossed the Aegean islands, fava (split peas) is an past crockery made from section legume varieties. Its cultivation and mentation are tied to section customs and festivals, forming an indispensable portion of some mundane and celebratory land cuisine.