Zagori, Greece, is a candidate for cultural landscape of UNESCO
This is the first Greek application submitted to UNESCO for inclusion in the list of cultural landscapes.
The application file was prepared and submitted by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the Region of Epirus with the participation of scientists of many different specialties, archaeologists, historians, foresters, biologists, environmentalists, architects, economists and economists.
As the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni stated, “Zagori, a region of unique beauty and special value and importance of our country, is the first Greek candidacy submitted to UNESCO, for inclusion in the list of cultural landscapes. The preparation of the dossier was long and complex. It required close cooperation with the Region of Epirus, with which we always have a very good cooperation, as well as with a large number of scientists of different specialties. The participation of the local community in the composition of the dossier was particularly important, as a candidacy in the field of cultural landscape is very different from the candidacy of a monument. It requires the involvement of the society, the citizens of the region. We expect positive results from the evaluation of the candidacy, as the integration of Zagori adds value to the region. I thank the Regional Governor Alexandros Kachrimanis, as well as the executives of the Region and the Ministry of Culture for the enormous effort they made, in order to meet the special requirements of the candidacy proposal”.
The application dossier includes all the necessary chapters that highlight the outstanding ecumenical value of the cultural landscape of Zagori, extensive reports on the biodiversity, fauna and flora of the region, the unique natural environment with the rivers, the ravine of Vikos, the special formations. It also includes chapters that refer to the historical background of the area, with emphasis on the 17th and 18th centuries, the rich architectural heritage that harmonizes with the natural environment, the monuments of all times and contains the necessary information for the responsible protection bodies. The file also includes the wealth of intangible cultural heritage such as music, festivals and traditions. Part of the dossier is the management plan.
Following is the evaluation, based on the procedure provided, by the Advisory Bodies of the International Organization, while the decision on the inclusion or not of Zagori will be taken by the World Heritage Committee.
Source: protothema.gr
