Guatemala advances UNESCO promotion for two Intangible Cultural Heritage elements

Guatemala is actively promoting two significant elements of its Intangible Cultural Heritage for inscription by UNESCO. The country seeks international recognition for "La Romería al Cristo Negro de Esquipulas" (The Pilgrimage to the Black Christ of Esquipulas) and the "Knowledge and Practices in the Preparation of Recados of the Mayan Cultures."

The Ministry of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced its efforts to have these gastronomic traditions and the Esquipulas pilgrimage inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These nominations aim to celebrate and safeguard living cultural expressions that are integral to Guatemalan identity.

The Romería al Cristo Negro de Esquipulas is a major Catholic pilgrimage that draws devotees from across Mesoamerica each year on January 15th. This event is described as a significant religious and cultural gathering, blending spirituality, gastronomy, and community organization practices passed down through generations. The nomination seeks to preserve not only the religious practice but also its associated cultural manifestations.

Simultaneously, the knowledge and practices surrounding the preparation of Mayan 'recados', traditional sauces or stews, are being put forward. The Ministry views these culinary traditions as a vital part of the living Mayan culture, offering a unique opportunity to showcase Guatemala's rich heritage on a global scale. Both nominations are expected to be evaluated in upcoming sessions of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.