UNESCO recognition of Georgian wheat culture is world-class acknowledgment of our identity

“The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee has made a historic decision to include Georgian Wheat Culture: Traditions and Rituals in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated at an event in connection with UNESCO’s decision.

According to the Prime Minister, this recognition affirms a fundamental truth deeply embedded in Georgian identity.

“Today is a special and proud day for Georgia. In New Delhi, India, the Intergovernmental Committee made a historic decision to include ‘Georgian Wheat Culture: Traditions and Rituals’ in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is a world-class recognition of a truth encoded in our genetics — in Georgia, wheat has never been merely food. For millennia, it has been an integral part of our identity, spirituality and very existence,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister emphasized Georgia’s unique place in the global history of wheat cultivation.

“Georgia is one of the oldest centers of wheat origin. Of the 20 wheat species known worldwide, 15 grow on Georgian soil, five of which are endemic and found nowhere else in the world. This biodiversity is a living treasure preserved by our ancestors and passed down to us,” he noted.

According to Kobakhidze, centuries of labor and tradition have shaped a cultural heritage that unites the country.

“For centuries, the Georgian people have cultivated wheat, baked bread and upheld traditions that strengthened families and communities. This tireless work has resulted in a remarkable diversity that characterizes our regions and ultimately forms the foundation of our unified and rich national culture,” the Prime Minister said.

He also highlighted the symbolic meaning of wheat and bread as expressions of peace and social unity.

“UNESCO’s decision underscores another important aspect — wheat and the tradition of breaking bread symbolize peace, hospitality and social cohesion,” Kobakhidze stated.

The Prime Minister stressed that the recognition also carries forward-looking significance.

“This acknowledgment is a message for the future. The protection and development of endemic wheat varieties is a key element of our agricultural sector, agrotourism and green economy, with significant growth potential. Our goal is to ensure that this tradition remains a living and evolving process that creates prosperity for our farmers and our country,” he said.

Kobakhidze expressed gratitude to all those involved in preparing the UNESCO nomination.

“I would like to extend special thanks to scientists, researchers, the Patriarchate of Georgia, and all those who worked tirelessly for years on this nomination. I also thank our ministers, the heads of three ministries and their representatives for their substantial contribution. This recognition is primarily the result of their dedication. Once again, I congratulate everyone on this great victory. It is further proof that Georgia, with its unique culture, is an integral and distinctive part of world civilization,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Tags: wheat, Georgia