AZERBAIJAN: Traditional Japanese cuisine added to UNESCO heritage list

Record ID: 218344

  • Title: AZERBAIJAN: Traditional Japanese cuisine added to UNESCO heritage list
  • Date: 5th December 2013
  • Summary: BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (DECEMBER 4, 2013) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) VARIOUS OF UNESCO MEETING IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF JAPANESE DELEGATION JAPANESE COMMISSIONER FOR THE AGENCY OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, MASANORI AOYAGI BEING INTERVIEWED AOYAGI'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPANESE COMMISSIONER FOR THE AGENCY OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, MASANORI AOYAGI, SAYING: "Our Washoku
  • Embargoed: 20th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Azerbaijan
  • Country: Azerbaijan
  • Topics: Business,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVAEXOYZX0GSXHWDN4RC1KUH9G7O
  • Story Text: The traditional Japanese cuisine known as Washoku is added to the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Assets list.


    The traditional Japanese method of cooking known as Washoku has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Assets List.
    Washoku, which is a traditional way of preparing and consuming food in Japan, is normally part of the country's New Year celebrations.
    It comprises of special dishes using fresh ingredients which are served in specifically decorated plates, each one of which is said to have a symbolic meaning. The focus on this method of preparation is on respect to nature.
    Normally included are locally-sourced ingredients such a rice, fish, and vegetables.
    Traditionally the entire family would sit down to eat the dishes together. The skills involved in preparing Washoku are often passed down to younger generations and are also often taught in schools.
    The decision was made on Wednesday (December 4) at the 8th annual session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is taking place from December 2-7 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Some 7,750 representatives were attending the meeting from 116 different countries.
    Japan's Commissioner for the Agency of Cultural Affairs, Masanori Aoyagi, told Reuters TV why he felt it was right for Washoku to be included on the heritage list.
    "Our Washoku, 30 or 40 years ago already influenced the French cooking, for example the nouvelle cuisine. So already 40 years ago Japan food was internationally very famous but we didn't know that the Washoku was so excellent in the world but recently this global phenomenon was seen as one of the typical foods in the world. So then we asked UNESCO to be listed as intangible heritage," he said.
    According to UNESCO, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity "serves to raise awareness of intangible heritage and provide recognition to communities' traditions and know-how that reflect their cultural diversity.
    But it says the List does not attribute or recognize any standard of excellence or exclusivity.
    Intangible Cultural Heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festivals, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts, UNESCO says on its website.
    Also added to the UNESCO Heritage list was Korea's Kimchi, or preserved spiced vegetables, and the Turkish coffee culture, among others.
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