Munich (dpa / lby) - Unesco has included rafting in the international list of intangible cultural heritage. She is the seventh entry from Germany on the list. "The inclusion of rafting in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage is extremely gratifying. It is also a sign of the special appreciation for the cultural expression of rafting in Bavaria," said Finance and Homeland Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) on Thursday in Munich.
The passenger raft trips on the Isar and Loisach from the Oberland to Munich have been listed in the Bavarian State Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2020 - "now they are also internationally recognised," said Füracker. Congratulations on this honor. "Traditional handicraft techniques, customs, performing arts and natural knowledge show the diversity of our cultural heritage and are an important part of our homeland."
All raftsmen in Bavaria, too, would keep the tradition alive for the future through their commitment and the passing on of knowledge and skills to the next generation, said Füracker.
The application was made by Germany together with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Latvia and Spain. Rafting, i.e. the transport of goods, raw materials and people by water, is an important chapter in European economic history. The reason given was that it had a strong influence on the appearance of cities from the Middle Ages to the second half of the 20th century.
Next: The traditional handicraft techniques, social customs and festivals as well as the special knowledge in relation to nature have been passed on to the present day. Above all, raftsmen's clubs conveyed the cultural heritage at rafters' festivals, on raft trips, for example on the Isar and Loisach, in kindergartens, schools and rafters' museums.
