There is an Italy that isn't measured in monuments or square meters, but lives in daily gestures, in handed-down rituals, in local languages, and in the traditions preserved by communities. This is the Italy that emerges from the first Census of Intangible Cultural Heritage, presented to the Chamber of Deputies, which has already collected over thirty thousand items including traditions, events, local products, and ancient knowledge.
The project, launched in 2023 and promoted by the National Union of Pro Loco d'Italia in collaboration with the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) and the Central Institute for Intangible Heritage, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, was born with the goal of preserving and sharing a fragile heritage, destined to disappear if not narrated and transmitted. This work is fully in line with the spirit of the 2003 UNESCO Convention and, by its very nature, can never be considered complete.
The operational heart of the initiative is radiciculturali.it, the portal that translates this impressive mapping into concrete form. An open digital archive that today provides a snapshot of a living heritage, built thanks to the contributions of thousands of experts, scholars, and volunteers, and the involvement of museums and ecomuseums throughout Italy. A system that connects communities, territories, and memories, transforming tradition into shared knowledge.
"There is a profound and often less talked about Italy, but it represents the most authentic soul of our country," emphasized UNPLI President Antonino La Spina, calling the census an ambitious and never-ending undertaking. This constantly evolving heritage is not just a memory, but also a strategic resource for sustainable development, capable of strengthening collective identity and attracting more informed tourism, especially in small towns.
This value has also been recognized by institutions. Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana emphasized the fundamental role of intangible heritage in building national identity, while Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè highlighted how local traditions and rituals are becoming a concrete lever for deseasonalizing tourist flows. A process in which Pro Loco tourist boards and municipalities, as noted by ANCI Vice President Roberto Pella, assume a central role as custodians and protagonists of territorial development.
The census's presentation comes during a symbolic week for Italian culture, also marked by UNESCO's recognition of Italian cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. It's a strong signal confirming that Italy's traditions are not a legacy of the past, but a living resource, capable of speaking to the future.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
Italy is a country rich in traditions and culture, but not everyone knows how to preserve them. It's important that these things be told and shared, otherwise we risk losing them. The census is a good initiative.