Today, on July 1, during the 5th extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage  of UNESCO, Ukrainian element "Culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking" was inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. For the first time ever, the nomination was considered ahead of schedule due to a military agression of Russian Federation against Ukraine and a real threat to the cultural element.

This UNESCO List consists of elements of the intangible heritage that, according to the Member States of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, require the adoption of urgent measures for their preservation. Adding a certain cultural element to this list helps to mobilize the international community and help interested parties to take the necessary safeguarding measures.

UNESCO takes under its protection not only historical and cultural monuments, natural objects, documentary or underwater heritage, but also "living tradition" - intangible heritage, which includes national dishes, the knowledge of which, the recipe and the culture of their preparation are transmitted from generation to generation.

Culinary traditions of each nation are more than just dishes. This is a huge ethno-cultural stratum, which reaches incredible depths with its roots, where, along with songs, rituals, national clothes and language, the genetic code of the nation had been formed.

We are grateful to all our partners who supported this decision of the Committee and casted their vote for Ukraine and its cultural heritage.