A new initiative is in motion to have Italian comedy recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, a move that aims to celebrate a tradition deeply rooted in the country’s artistic and social fabric. The idea, spearheaded by the Fondazione Guido Carli, has gained the support of notable figures, including actor and director Carlo Verdone, and has been presented to Italy’s Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli.

While still in its early stages, this initiative highlights the longstanding significance of Italian humor in shaping national identity and reflecting social change. Italian comedy has long functioned as a lens through which society views itself. As Romana Liuzzo, president of the Fondazione Guido Carli, explained, Italian comedy “has not only amused but often unmasked injustices and abuses through wit and irony, becoming the voice of the weakest.”