Serbian slivovitz is included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List
The traditional Serbian alcoholic drink - rakia-slivovitz, as well as the method of its preparation and consumption, are included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
The corresponding decision was made on December 1 during the 17th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which takes place in Morocco, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
According to the Serbian Ministry of Culture, not only the alcoholic drink itself is included in the UNESCO list, but also the entire traditional complex associated with Serbian plum brandy.
“The nomination unites the culture of plum cultivation, folk crafts, customs, “baking” (distillation) of plum brandy and its use during personal or public events,” the department noted.
Rakia-slivovitz is considered the national alcohol of the Balkan countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Bulgaria), as well as the Czech Republic. There they treat tourists with this drink, drink it themselves for any occasion, and even treat some diseases. The strength of the drink is 45-75%; aging for five years is considered optimal, so that slivovitz acquires a characteristic taste with notes of plums and a yellow color. In 2007, Serbia received a European patent for the exclusive production of a drink called "Serbian rakia-slivovitz" in its geographical region.
The inclusion of Serbian plum brandy in the UNESCO list could have a positive effect on the promotion of this alcoholic drink on the Russian market, says Sasha Savicevic, an alcohol industry expert and owner of one of the most popular brands of Serbian brandy. Products from his brand “Saviћeviћ rakiјa” were among the official gifts for Vladimir Putin during the Russian leader’s visit to Serbia.
The UNESCO decision emphasizes that the preparation of slivovitz is multi-step, involves the participation of family and community, and the alcoholic drink itself is used “in everyday and ritual practices.” Plums for slivovitz are usually grown on family farms and harvested in the fall. They ferment for 20-30 days, then they are distilled (“baked”) in handmade copper vessels, and the resulting substance is distilled. The last stage is aging in a barrel, usually oak, for at least a year.
“On holidays and during family celebrations, slivovitz accompanies toasts with wishes of health and well-being. It is also an important part of traditional medicine: medicinal herbs or fruits are added to it to obtain remedies for colds, pain or antiseptics,” UNESCO noted.
In addition to slivovitz, other components of Serbian culture are also included in the UNESCO list of intangible heritage: the folk church holiday “Glory”, the folk dance-round dance “Kolo” and the pottery of the village of Zlakusa.
As PolitNavigator reported , Serbia and the Republic of Srpska adopted laws to protect the Serbian language and Cyrillic alphabet.
Serbian slivovitz added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List