Bulgaria’s Bagpipe Tradition Added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The Bulgarian bagpipe and the traditional art of bagpipe playing have been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

“A new entry on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List: Bagpipes and Bagpipe Playing in Bulgaria – the Transmission of Knowledge and Skills. Congratulations!” the official announcement said.

The decision was made during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Delhi, India. Bulgaria participated with a specially prepared national dossier: Bagpipes and Bagpipe Playing in Bulgaria – the Transmission of Knowledge and Skills.

For a tradition to be recognised as intangible cultural heritage, it should be passed down through generations and maintained by a community, in line with UNESCO criteria.

This year, the committee reviewed a total of 11 proposals for practices requiring urgent safeguarding, 54 nominations for the Representative List, and one proposal for the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.

The inclusion of the Bulgarian bagpipe on the world list represents yet another international recognition of the richness of Bulgaria’s cultural traditions.