UNESCO Adds Mastiha to Cultural List

The Greek Cultural Ministry stated that the United Nations sanctioned the Hellenic request for the specialized rating late last month, during its yearly conference held in Paris, according to Kathimerini.

The Culture Ministry commented on UNESCO's List, "is an acknowledgement of the value of this element of our cultural heritage and, at the same time, it incorporates it in a global system aimed at the promotion and protection of living traditions."

UNESCO stated of the inclusion, "The culture of mastic represents a comprehensive social event, around which networks of alliances and mutual help have been established...The communal practices are also an occasion for perpetuating collective memory through the narration of old tales and stories."