The practice of Cuban son and nine other Latin American expressions have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, including the first for El Salvador.
An intergovernmental committee of UNESCO has been debating up to 68 candidates seeking inclusion on one of its intangible cultural heritage lists since yesterday, Tuesday (December 9, 2025), at its annual meeting held this year in New Delhi.
Cuban Son, Joropo, Cordoban Quartet, Aymara Dance
In this edition, musical nominations stand out, such as the practice of Cuban son, a genre that resurfaced in the late 1990s thanks to the Buena Vista Social Club project and was honored this Wednesday.
On Tuesday, UNESCO recognized the Joropo from Venezuela and the Quartet from the Argentine city of Córdoba. And this Wednesday the Moquegua sarawja, which combines Aymara music and dance in Peru.
Manifestations linked to religion were also included in the prestigious list, such as the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sucre, Bolivia, and the depiction of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ in Iztapalapa, Mexico.
With the inclusion of the traditional family circus, Chile added a new intangible world heritage.
With this recognition, the UN educational, scientific and cultural organization wants to encourage countries to protect their “living heritage” such as oral traditions, performing arts and rituals.
Traditional crafts from Paraguay and Quincha house from Panama
UNESCO began the session by registering 11 candidates on its list of intangible cultural heritage requiring “urgent protection measures,” including the ancient ñai’upo crafts of Paraguay and the construction processes of the Quincha House and the Embarre Board in Panama.
Before the start of the meeting in New Delhi, which ends on Saturday, 788 practices from 150 countries were already part of UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
Recognition for El Salvador’s cultural tradition
This Wednesday, the Brotherhood of Flowers and Palms of Panchimalco became the first demonstration in El Salvador to receive this prestigious recognition.
The Central American nation declared this celebration “with strong indigenous roots dating back to colonial times” a national intangible heritage in 2023, the approved candidacy states.
The festival, associated with the veneration of the Virgin Mary, brings together traditional rituals, music, dances and food, among which the procession of palm trees decorated with wildflowers stands out.
CP (afp, efe)
About The Author
