What was already clear for us in Hesse for a long time, was now also confirmed by UNESCO: The artisanal cider culture is now part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Germany. Together with the Trakehner breed, the Willibaldsritt in Jesenwang and the carrier pigeon system, the cider culture has been included in the now 131-entry Federal Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This was decided by the Conference of Culture Ministers and the Federal Government Commissioners for Culture and the Media. "Germany is characterized by a rich cultural landscape. Its heterogeneity is reflected in the Federal Register, which reflects the various facets of cultural expression. What all entries have in common is that they play a significant role in the vitality and cohesion of our society," emphasizes North Rhine-Westphalia's Culture Minister Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen, who chairs the Conference of Culture Ministers.
The reason given for the inclusion was that the craft cider culture combines skills around the cultivation of meadow orchards with knowledge and skills of cider making and associated customs. In addition, an important part for many people is the community experience that arises from the communal care of fruit tree stands, the pressing or the celebration of cider festivals.
"When we share our knowledge and skills with each other, we create community," emphasizes Christoph Wulf, chairman of the Expert Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Germany and vice president of the German UNESCO Commission. "Intangible cultural heritage is lived dialogue. It brings together people pursuing a common goal, is shaped by traditions, yet is in a state of flux. Our cultural heritage unfolds its greatest power where it is in exchange with society, when experiences and cultural practices are not only preserved, but perpetuated."
We are pleased that the cider culture, which is cultivated in our region yes quite intensively, now belongs to the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Germany and raise on it our Geripptes! Cheers!
