Ten Swiss traditions on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Yodelling might be the next Swiss tradition to make it onto the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list. Other Swiss specialities awarded the label include avalanche mitigation and watchmaking. The Intangible Cultural Heritages of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are different from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They focus on traditions living through generations as opposed to preserving natural landscapes or architecture. In April, Switzerland submitted the Swiss tradition of yodelling to the UNESCO heritage committee. This traditional Swiss folk music can alternate between the singing of verses and a “natural yodel” which is the singing of melodies instead of lyrics. In a press release, the Swiss Federal Office of Culture writes that “commitment is needed to further develop yodelling to preserve it for future generations”. When the Federal Office of Culture submitting the traditional art of yodelling to the UNESCO committee, the Swiss ...