site.btaBulgaria, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkiye, and Ukraine Join Forces for UNESCO Transhumance Listing

Bulgaria has joined a multinational nomination to be recognized under the Transhumance element, already inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday.

Ambassador Radka Balabanova, Bulgaria's Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Bulgaria to UNESCO in Paris, officially signed the nomination dossier on March 28 in the presence of representatives from other participating countries.

Transhumance was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO at the 18th session of the International Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023. Previously, the element included nine countries: Albania, Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, and Spain.

The joint application for expansion comes from Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkiye, and Ukraine.

Transhumance refers to the seasonal movement of herds of herbivorous animals (sheep, cows, or goats) to remote pastures, typically in mountainous regions. Rooted in centuries-old knowledge passed down through families, this practice helps preserve biodiversity and maintain unique landscapes while supporting the production of dairy and meat products with protected designations of origin. In Bulgaria, it has contributed to the formation of distinctive high-mountain ecosystems.

Transhumance also includes festive gatherings and rituals accompanying the animals’ departure to summer pastures. These customs strengthen cultural identity, foster social inclusion, and maintain connections among communities and regions, while helping to mitigate rural depopulation.

Registration in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage covers animal husbandry methods, pasture management, as well as related crafts and food products, recognized as contributions to humanity. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food led Bulgaria’s accession process in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.