Social practices and knowledge related to the preparation and use of the traditional plum spirit – šljivovica is the new entry by the Republic of Serbia in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
At its 17th session in Rabat (Morocco), the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage made a decision to enter the element “Social practices and knowledge related to the preparation and use of the traditional plum spirit – šljivovica” into the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
With this decision, the UNESCO list becomes richer with a part of “living heritage” of Serbia that combines an array of knowledge and skills required for the preparation of šljivovica plum spirit within households, the use of the spirit in everyday and customary practice, as well as the cultivation of specific varieties of plum, food culture and traditional crafts related to production of objects used within this practice and forming its integral part.
The complete nomination file for the registration of this element was prepared by the Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia at the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade based on the decision of the National Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia. The proposers of the element are the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade and the National Museum in Čačak, while the nomination was prepared with help of heritage bearers, individuals and families, local communities, cultural and educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, associations and other participants who through their activities contribute to the safeguarding and transmission of knowledge and skills needed to prepare and use plum spirit – šljivovica in the present day.
The entries from Serbia at the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity presently include Family Slava (Patron Saint’s Day), traditional folk dance - kolo, singing in accompaniment to the gusle, and Zlakusa pottery.
