Georgia petitions Georgian wheat be included on UNESCO Safeguarding – Intangible Heritage List

Georgia is petitioning for Georgian wheat to be put on the UNESCO Safeguarding – Intangible Heritage List. The application was signed at the Education Ministry today.

Georgian wheat is divided into 14 species and 188 varieties. Earlier, archaeological studies confirmed that it dates back 800 years.

The Georgian wheat has 800-year history. Photo: Elkana - Organic Farming & Rural Tourism Network in Georgia.

In September 2018 ‘Georgian Wheat Culture’ was classified as intangible cultural heritage and was registered in the state registry.

On March 25, 2019, Georgian wheat was granted national significance.

Starting in 2007 four Georgian elements were put on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List:

• 2018: Chidaoba, wrestling in Georgia 
• 2016: Living culture of three writing systems of the Georgian alphabet 
• 2013: Ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri wine-making method 
• 2008: Georgian polyphonic singing 

Georgia joined the UNESCO 2003 Convention on Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2007.