Historic Cafes, on Greece’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Historic Cafes have been placed, as an element, on the country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, by order of Mrs. Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture and Sports. This is an official acknowledgement of the efforts made by “Historic Cafes Route” to defend, preserve, highlight, and promote the intangible cultural heritage of Historic Cafes, which have always been the custodians of the tradition of Cafes and of the creation of culture though them.

The inclusion in the national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage is the first step for the final goal, the inscription on the International List, considering there are already countries that, together with Greece, are interested to submit an application for international registration. Austria and Greece are the two countries with the element Historic Cafes listed at the national list of intangible heritage and we soon Italy will apply for the same recognition. The next step will be a common application for the International List, with Greece, Austria and hopefully Italy asking for the element “Historic Cafes” to be included.

It is worth mentioning that the application for inscription on the International List has been an initiative put forward by Greece. Additionally, Historic Cafes, as monuments of living cultural heritage, support the traditions of the culture of coffee, traditional drinks, and alcoholic beverages, but also the consumption of local traditional products and the preservation of their brewing practices.  Historic Cafes reflect the rich diversity of local values and traditions inherent in the intangible heritage of the drink and food culture. And of course, today, as always, Historic Cafes offer local residents and foreign visitors the ideal place for socialization and intercultural dialogue.

You may read the relevant Press Release of the Ministry of Culture and Sports HERE