Ambassador Trichilo promotes Italian cuisine as UNESCO heritage at Rab

Ambassador Trichilo promotes Italian cuisine as UNESCO heritage at Rab congress

On 8 May 2026, during the 9th European Congress on Rural Tourism in Arbe/Rab, Italy's Ambassador to Croatia, Paolo Trichilo, presented the recent inscription of “Italian cuisine, between sustainability and biocultural diversity” on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Ambassador emphasized that the listing highlights more than recipes and cooking techniques: it recognizes social practices and intergenerational knowledge — conviviality, culinary creativity and environmental sustainability — which together define the cultural role of Italian food across the country.

He also recalled the earlier UNESCO recognition of the Mediterranean Diet (2010), noting its extension to additional countries including Croatia in 2013, and pointing to shared gastronomic traditions that connect Italy and Croatia.

• Practical impact: the recognition supports promotion of local producers, sustainable food itineraries and cultural initiatives linked to gastronomy.
• For visitors: look for experiences that prioritize local products, traditional workshops and communal food practices.
• Institutional actions: the Ambassador highlighted the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World as a key instrument to spread Italy’s culinary heritage.

Finally, Ambassador Trichilo criticized nutritional labeling proposals that lack solid scientific backing, stressing the need to evaluate food policies also in light of cultural and environmental values.

Relevance for UNESCO tourism: the inscription strengthens food-related cultural offerings, benefiting rural tourism operators and visitors interested in UNESCO-linked experiences in Italy and neighboring regions.