On Friday, the Conference of Ministers of Culture of the German states together with the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Culture and Media expanded the national register of intangible cultural heritage by adding five new traditions. The entries are:
” the Bolzplatz (street‑football‑field) culture,
” men’s tailoring,
” the Martin tradition of the Rhineland,
” circus and fairground culture at local festivals, and
” traditional small‑scale coastal fishing along the Baltic Sea coast and in the Bodden waters.
With these additions the register now lists 173 cultural expressions that are lived and passed on throughout Germany.
“Intangible cultural heritage thrives when people keep their traditions alive in everyday life and shape them together” said Katharina Binz, who is President of the Conference of Ministers of Culture and Minister for Families in Rhineland‑Palatinate. “Whether it’s Bolzplatz, tailoring, or coastal fishing, these practices link generations and mould regional identity. Adding five new traditions alongside the German UNESCO Commission today shows how diverse and vibrant our cultural heritage is”.
Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, an independent, described intangible heritage as the living root of contemporary cultural identity. He added that “the Martin tradition in the Rhineland conveys values such as sharing, solidarity and cohesion across generations, while men’s tailoring blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design and continues to influence today’s fashion and creative industries. All of this must be protected and kept alive for future generations”.
Christoph Wulf, Vice‑President of the German UNESCO Commission, explained that “intangible heritage arises wherever people contribute, share knowledge, and co‑create cultural practices. The newly added entries demonstrate how lively, open and adaptable cultural expressions are today – sustained by communities that recognize their history and actively work toward a diverse future. Intangible heritage is more than a look back; it is lived present”.
The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in Paris in 2003. To date, 185 countries have ratified the treaty, and Germany has been a signatory since 2013. The national register highlights creative, inclusive and innovative forms of culture. Proposals for new entries are first examined by the sub‑committee on intangible cultural heritage of the German UNESCO Commission and subsequently selected through a multi‑stage procedure.
