Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee has made a historic decision to include “Georgian Wheat Culture: Traditions and Rituals” in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Speaking at an event dedicated to the decision, the Prime Minister described the recognition as a moment of national pride and a confirmation of a deeply rooted element of Georgian identity.

“Today is a special and proud day for Georgia. In New Delhi, India, the Intergovernmental Committee adopted a historic decision to include Georgian wheat culture in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is global recognition of a truth encoded in our very genetics — in Georgia, wheat has never been merely food. For thousands of years, it has been an inseparable part of our identity, spirituality, and existence,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister highlighted Georgia’s unique role in the history of wheat cultivation, noting that the country is among the world’s oldest centers of wheat origin. Of the 20 wheat species known globally, 15 grow in Georgia, five of which are endemic and found nowhere else. He described this biodiversity as a living heritage preserved by generations of Georgians.

Kobakhidze emphasized that centuries of cultivating wheat, baking bread, and maintaining related traditions have strengthened families and communities across the country, shaping regional diversity and contributing to a unified and rich national culture.

He also pointed to the symbolic importance of wheat and bread as representations of peace, hospitality, and social cohesion, stating that UNESCO’s decision underscores these universal values.

According to the Prime Minister, the recognition carries important implications for the future as well. He said the preservation and development of endemic wheat varieties are vital for the growth of Georgia’s agricultural sector, agrotourism, and green economy, with significant potential to benefit farmers and the country as a whole.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all those involved in preparing the UNESCO nomination, including scientists, researchers, the Patriarchate of Georgia, and representatives of several ministries. He concluded by congratulating everyone on what he described as a great national achievement and further proof that Georgia’s unique culture is an integral and distinctive part of world civilization.