Serbian circle, wood carving from Konjic, Slovenian Kurenti and Greek music are included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity compiled by the UN organization for education, science and culture.
Among the 33 new entries in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is the celebration of March 1, which is practiced in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Moldova and Romania.
UNESCO states that the Serbian kolo is a traditional collective dance of players who move in a circle holding hands, performed at private and public gatherings.
Wood carving from Konjic is a skill with a long tradition in that Bosnian town. Wood carving from that city, on furniture or decorative objects, stands out for its recognizable motifs and overall visual identity, UNESCO said, adding that this skill is a key element of local culture that strengthens the sense of belonging to the community.
Kurentovanje is a traditional Slovenian custom in the first half of February that is believed to originate from pagan times. It is traditionally celebrated in villages, mostly in Ptuj. Groups of curents, dressed in sheepskins with animal heads and horns, go from house to house and chase away devils. According to belief, the noise of the bells carried by the curents drives away devils and brings good luck to the houses they visit.
The list also includes a custom from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Moldova and Romania, which marks the beginning of spring on March 1. The main practice is the wearing of martenits, red and white threads, which should ensure a safe and harmonious transition from winter to spring.
Greek rebetiko music is also on that list. Called "Greek blues", it originates from the time of the revolt against the Turks, but later it was mostly associated with the urban working population. It is now a standard repertoire at social events.
UNESCO also put the Hederlez spring celebration on the list, which it says is celebrated in Macedonia and Turkey on June 23 according to the Julian calendar, and on May 6 according to the Gregorian calendar. The Christian version of that day is St. George's Day.
The new list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity includes the Neapolitan skill of making pizza, as well as the Azerbaijani food dolma, which is a type of sarma. UNESCO included the German art of organ making and the Dutch art of managing watermills and windmills in the list.
With 33 new entries, UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity now has 468 elements from 117 countries.
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