Far be it from us to minimize the importance of a baguette, but we couldn’t be happier that the French bread has officially been recognized as a cultural statement!
Following a formal submission that took 6 years to complete, UNESCO has included the “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread” on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The list also features Neapolitan pizza from Italy, Korean kimchi, and beer culture in Belgium.
The word “baguette” translates from French as wand, stick, or baton. Although long, thin breads first became popular in France around the 18th century, the first baguette as we know it was sold in August 1920.
In order for an element to be included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, it must “constitute intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention,” and be “in urgent need of safeguarding because its viability is at risk despite the efforts of the community.”
The French government is now planning a Baguette Day to celebrate the inclusion, with former French culture minister and current director-general of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, saying, “This will make people realize that this regular baguette that they know very well, is something precious.”
