Tuesday, March 19

The manual ringing of Spanish bells is already Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity


The manual ringing of Spanish bells was on a list among 56 other candidacies for inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity lists that Unesco has examined in recent days. This Wednesday, its Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee has decided to grant it that title at a meeting in Rabat (Morocco).

Unesco cancels the World Heritage appointment planned in Russia

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At present, more than 30 different ways of manual bell ringing survive in Spain with a wide repertoire of forms and techniques. Its function has been for centuries that of a community communication medium, announcing aspects of festive, ritual, work and daily life. In the case of Leon, three daily touches marked the clock and the life of its neighbors. The touch of dawn or alborada, at dawn, announced a new day of work. At twelve noon, the Angelus called to prayer and interrupted work for lunch. And at sunset, the prayer call invited to recollection, to return home and give thanks to God for another day enjoyed. The council rings continue, a semi-turning of a bell to call the residents to the usual place to discuss the important issues of the town; the touch of fire and the touch of party with a variety of rhythms.

With this protection, Unesco values ​​this tradition and ensures the survival of a language on the verge of extinction due to the lack of bell ringers.

With this inscription, Spain now has 18 cultural manifestations declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a list that could increase this Thursday if the candidacy of ‘Timber Rafting, fluvial transport of wood’ is included. Spain participates in this international project led by Poland, represented by carriers from five autonomous communities (Aragon, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra and Valencia), to recognize the importance of transporting wood by river from a point of cultural, economic, environmental and social point of view.

The 16 bell tolls of Alustante, in Guadalajara, were declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in February 2021.







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