This decision by UNESCO emphasizes another very important aspect - wheat and the tradition of sharing bread are a symbol of peace and social unity, - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated at the event organized by UNESCO to mark the inclusion of Georgian wheat culture in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

According to the head of government, the Georgian table and bread serve precisely the idea of ​​hospitality and bringing people closer together.

“Today, when the world needs consensus so much, Georgian table and bread serve precisely the idea of ​​hospitality and bringing people closer together.

This recognition is a message for the future. The protection and development of endemic varieties is the greatest potential of our agricultural sector, agrotourism and green economy. Our goal is for this tradition to be a living, developing process that will bring wealth to our farmers and the country.

I would like to express my special gratitude to the scientists, researchers, the Patriarchate of Georgia, and everyone who worked hard for years to prepare this nomination. I would also like to thank our ministers, the heads of three ministries, and representatives who made a significant contribution to achieving this result. This recognition is primarily the result of the efforts of these people, each of you. Once again, I congratulate you on this great victory. This is yet another proof that Georgia, with its unique culture, is a distinctive part of world civilization,” the Prime Minister said.

According to him, the historic decision of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee to include the Georgian wheat culture, traditions and rituals in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a world-class recognition of the truth “encoded in our genetics.”

According to the Prime Minister, wheat has been an integral part of Georgian identity, spirituality and existence for millennia.

“Today is a special day for Georgia. In New Delhi, India, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee made a historic decision to include “Georgian Wheat Culture: Traditions and Rituals” in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is a world-class recognition of the truth encoded in our genetics – in Georgia, wheat has never been just food. It is an integral part of our identity, our spirituality and our existence for millennia.

Georgia is one of the oldest places of origin of wheat. Out of the 20 known wheat species in the world, 15 grow on our land, and 5 of them are endemic and come only to Georgian soil. This biodiversity is a living treasure that our ancestors have preserved for us.

For centuries, the Georgian people have worked tirelessly, baked bread and followed the traditions that protected the strength of families. It is the result of this work that forms the basis of our unified, rich national culture,” the Prime Minister said.