Bolivia adds chili pepper culture and traditional fishing to UNESCO's Food Atlas

Bolivia is celebrating the inclusion of two significant cultural expressions into UNESCO's International Food Atlas: the ají chuquisaqueño, a chili pepper central to the cuisine of Chuquisaca, and the traditional fishing practices of the Weenhayek people from Tarija. This recognition goes beyond mere ingredients or production techniques; it honors the rich histories, ancestral knowledge, and unique ways of life that have been transmitted across generations.

The announcement, made in La Paz, featured documentaries showcasing years of collaborative work between communities, producers, local institutions, UNESCO, and the Bolivian state. The films trace the journey of the ají from the fields and markets of Sucre and Padilla to the kitchens where it defines Chuquisaqueño gastronomy. Simultaneously, they depict the Weenhayek families along the Pilcomayo River, where fishing remains an ancestral practice deeply intertwined with nature and preserving traditional techniques.

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It is a recognition of the history, the work, and the knowledge of the communities that have preserved these ancestral practices for generations. Each food tells a part of who we are as a country, and making this heritage visible is also a way to protect it, value it, and project Bolivia's extraordinary food diversity to the world.

Vice Minister of Gastronomy, Sumaya Prado, emphasized that this incorporation is a significant acknowledgment of Bolivia's food heritage and the centuries of knowledge safeguarded by its communities. "Each food tells a part of who we are as a country, and making this heritage visible is also a way to protect it, value it, and project Bolivia's extraordinary food diversity to the world," she stated.

Lupita Meneses, coordinator of the Food Atlas Bolivia-UNESCO project, added that the inclusion of these documentaries will introduce millions of people to Bolivia's rich culinary landscape. The initiative aims not only to preserve these cultural practices but also to promote them on a global stage, celebrating the deep connection between food, culture, and identity in Bolivia.

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The inclusion of the documentary videos in the UNESCO Food Atlas will allow millions of people to learn about the country's food wealth.