Thessaly’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

In Thessaly, a region with a rich history and folk tradition, preserving intangible heritage is a fundamental factor in cultural continuity and local development.

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

The concept of intangible cultural heritage was defined by UNESCO in 2003 when the Convention for its Safeguarding was adopted. According to this definition, intangible heritage includes:

• Oral traditions and expressions, such as stories, songs, and narratives.
• Performing arts, such as music, dance, and theatre.
• Social practices, rituals, and festive events.
• Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.
• Traditional techniques and skills used in handicrafts.

Intangible cultural heritage is neither static nor solely a thing of the past. On the contrary, it constantly evolves, interacting with social and cultural changes, and is a fundamental element for maintaining collective memory and cultural identity.

Why is Recording Intangible Cultural Heritage Important?

The inclusion of elements in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece, and in some cases, in the Representative List of UNESCO, makes a substantial contribution to the preservation and promotion of the cultural practices of each region. Thessaly, with its rich traditions and distinct cultural expressions, has managed to include in the list significant elements that reflect its uniqueness.

The recording and recognition of these elements:

• Ensures the preservation of traditions for future generations.
• Promotes cultural tourism, boosting the local economy.
• Cultivates cultural awareness and a sense of belonging among the residents of the region.
• Provides opportunities for funding and educational programs that enhance the sustainability of local cultural practices.

Thessaly and its Intangible Cultural Heritage

Thessaly has a rich intangible cultural heritage, with customs, traditional practices, and collective memories that have been officially recorded in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Among them are:

1. The Tsipouradika of Volos and Nea Ionia
   The institution of the tsipouradika (taverns serving tsipouro) is a unique cultural experience in Greece. The special process of serving tsipouro with small mezedes (appetizers) and the importance of social interaction in these establishments make them an integral element of the region's cultural identity.
2. The Maides of Makrinitsa, Pelion
   A customary ritual with magical-religious roots, revived every May, is connected with the rebirth of nature. This event reinforces collective memory and connects the present with the past, attracting visitors and researchers.
3. The Agricultural Cooperative of Zagora, Pelion
   The cooperative, founded in 1916, is a model of cooperation and solidarity, playing a significant role in the region's economy. Maintaining the cooperative tradition and utilizing local products are elements of intangible heritage, linked to the social cohesion of the region.
4. The Agricultural Wine Cooperative of Nea Anchialos "Η Dimitra"
   The cooperative wine-making tradition of Nea Anchialos, with roots in Eastern Romylia, has been recorded as an element of intangible heritage, keeping alive a centuries-old tradition in the production of wine and tsipouro.
5. Transhumant Livestock Farming
   Thessaly, as a predominantly agricultural and livestock region, has a strong tradition of transhumant livestock farming. This practice, which involves the seasonal movement of herds between summer and winter pastures, remains alive today and is of immense importance for maintaining the cultural identity of livestock farming communities.
6. Rebetiko and Skopelos
   Rebetiko, inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, is a musical genre that has left a strong mark on Skopelos. The annual "Rebetiko Days" festival held on the island honors the rebetiko tradition, keeping this cultural expression alive.

A Cultural Capital We Must Protect

Thessaly is a region that not only carries its history but lives it daily through its traditions. Recording and preserving intangible cultural heritage is not only an obligation to the past but also an investment in the future. Through the recognition and promotion of these cultural elements, Thessaly continues to be a vibrant space of culture and tradition.

The preservation of intangible heritage is not only a matter for researchers and authorities. It concerns us all. Because, ultimately, a place is not only its lands but also its memories, its flavors, its sounds, and its people.

*PHOTOS OF THE MAIDES OF MAKRINITSA: Argyris Zafeiridis