According to the United Nations UNESCO, the baguette belongs to the world cultural heritage. France asked for baguette recognition last year. UNESCO, whose headquarters is in Paris, has added the baguette to its list of intangible cultural heritage.
Director-General Audrey Assoulay said the baguette was included in the UNESCO list because it is “a model of the French way of life”. “The baguette is a daily ritual, part of French cuisine and symbolizes sharing and conviviality. And it’s important to preserve these items for future generations.”
The baguette officially got its name in 1920, but it’s much older. In that year, a law came into force according to which a baguette must weigh at least 80 grams and be no more than 40 centimeters in length. It is estimated that ten million baguettes are eaten every day in France.
It is not certain exactly when the baguette was made. There is evidence that the baguette was baked already in the 17th century. A common but unconfirmed explanation is that Emperor Napoleon decided that bread should be made into a stick so soldiers could carry it easily with them.
At the same time as the baguette, the Cuban rum masters were also designated a World Heritage Site. Earlier this year, Chinese tea culture was added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The UNESCO list contains about six hundred skills, dances, singing arts, customs, rituals and other “elusive” things. The profession of miller (as a symbol of mill culture) is the only Dutch contribution.
